North Carolina budget framework reached after 10-month delay, with teacher raises and phased tax cuts

North Carolina GOP leaders announced a framework for a long-delayed two-year budget, proposing about 3% raises for most state employees and an average 8% raise for teachers (plus $1,000–$1,750 bonuses, not retroactive). They replace automatic tax-rate triggers with a staged cut, lowering the personal income tax from 3.99% to 3.49% for two years and setting a path to further reductions; two tax-related constitutional amendments would go on the November ballot to cap the income tax and limit local property tax revenue increases. Final details remain to be negotiated, with a possible final bill to the governor by mid-June. Democrats criticized the pace and scope, while educators and frontline workers would see the largest increases in years.