Tag

Budget

All articles tagged with #budget

politics3 days ago•7 min saved

NC signs GOP budget: tax cuts, state employee raises, and new projects

Gov. Josh Stein signed the $34 billion budget after a year of GOP negotiations, delivering 3% raises for state workers (teacher boosts averaging 8%, some law enforcement up to 17%) and a personal income tax rate cut from 3.99% to 3.49% next year. The plan funds community colleges, the DMV, childcare and summer meals, and big-ticket projects like a new Apex children’s hospital, while eliminating hundreds of vacant positions and barring funding to some civil-legal groups. Critics say raises lag inflation and jobs will be cut; supporters call it needed tax relief and investments.

via WRAL|

#budget #education #north-carolina

politics4 days ago•4 min saved

Barrett and Kagan Set for Capitol Hill Budget Hearing Next Week

Two Supreme Court justices, Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan, will testify on Capitol Hill on July 14 before House and Senate appropriations panels about the court’s fiscal 2027 budget request, including a security funding boost, with lawmakers seeking detailed information on how funds will be used. The article also covers Maine politics, where pressure mounts for Graham Platner to withdraw amid new allegations and a scramble to find a replacement as Democrats race to unseat Sen. Susan Collins.

via Politico|

#appropriations #budget #capitol-hill

technology4 days ago•14 min saved

Budget-Smart Upgrades: 12 Under-$25 Gadgets to Elevate Your Home Office

This tech roundup showcases 12 budget-friendly home‑office upgrades under $25, spanning peripherals, ergonomic supports, connectivity, lighting, and storage. Highlights include a multi‑button mouse (Redragon M612 Predator), wireless keyboard/mouse combo (Logitech MK270), a laptop stand (Amazon Basics), a clamp‑on monitor arm (Wali), a cable‑management box (Naeety), a GaN charger (Belkin), a ring light (UBeesize), a budget webcam (NexiGo N60), smart bulbs (TP‑Link Tapo L535E), a 12‑outlet surge protector (Belkin), a USB‑C hub (Anker), and a dual‑port USB flash drive (SanDisk Ultra Dual Drive). The piece emphasizes improving posture, reducing cable clutter, better lighting, and reliable connectivity without breaking the bank, noting each item’s price, reviews, and availability across major retailers plus a brief methodology of selection.

via SlashGear|

#budget #ergonomics #gadgets

food6 days ago•4 min saved

Dad’s under-$45 Chick-fil-A hack goes viral

A dad of three viral video reveals a money-saving Chick-fil-A strategy: instead of each family member ordering a full sandwich, he buys 30 nuggets for about $17 and serves them on buttered buns for 25 cents each, keeping a five-person meal under $45—an idea that spread across social media as prices rise; the piece also notes Chick-fil-A's recent return to its original waffle fries recipe after pea starch backlash.

via New York Post|

#budget #chick-fil-a #dad

politics7 days ago•10 min saved

Michigan ends marathon budget sprint with an $84B plan

After nearly 24 hours, Michigan lawmakers approved an $84 billion budget for FY2027 and sent 67 policy bills to Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, missing the July 1 deadline but avoiding a government shutdown; the package relies on accounting tricks to mask federal education funding shifts, increases per-pupil funding and literacy investments, includes $125 million in earmarks, and rejects new taxes while reallocating funds elsewhere.

via Bridge Michigan|

#budget #earmarks #education-funding

politics7 days ago•6 min saved

Michigan lawmakers seal a tough, compromise budget after a 23-hour session

Lawmakers in Michigan approved about an $84 billion state budget after a near day-long marathon, closing a $1 billion revenue gap with spending shifts that pull more money to higher education and literacy efforts while cutting several programs and departments (including Pure Michigan and arts funding). The plan increases the per-pupil foundation and raises literacy funding, boosts university funding, and includes $125 million for special projects, alongside a move to expand a brownfield incentive and a measure barring former lawmakers from lobbying for two years after leaving office. The process came after months of negotiation and late votes well past the deadline.

via The Detroit News|

#budget #education-funding #governance

politics8 days ago•5 min saved

Mamdani Reverses NYPD Hiring Push Amid Budget Talks

Mayor Zohran Mamdani reversed a plan to hire additional NYPD officers during budget negotiations, opting to keep the department at its originally authorized 35,000 headcount while pursuing new crime-fighting programs. Police Commissioner Jessica Tisch said she could manage without more officers as the city grapples with budget constraints; current headcount is about 34,000, with Tisch previously aiming for 35,555 by the end of 2026. The move followed pressure from policing-reform advocates and progressive groups, underscoring Mamdani’s attempt to balance his campaign promises with governance and his relationship with the police leadership.

via Gothamist|

#budget #mamdani #new-york-city

europe10 days ago•3 min saved

Montenegro’s EU bid: €3.1 billion price tag over 2028-34, Commission says

EU officials estimate Montenegro’s accession will cost about €3.1 billion from 2028 to 2034, funded by the bloc’s next budget, with Montenegro contributing roughly €0.5 billion while receiving subsidies, regional funds, migration funding and support from the European Competitiveness Fund; the arrangement suggests a small net cost per EU taxpayer and forms part of an roughly €8 billion seven-year Balkan accession package.

via politico.eu|

#accession #budget #commission

politics10 days ago•3 min saved

Caucus Clash: Democrats wrestle with reducing Israel aid in private session

House Democrats held a private caucus to debate Rep. Massie’s amendment to block funds to Israel, revealing a split between those seeking to cut non-military aid and others worried about military and diplomatic funding and potential base backlash amid a leftward shift in the party.

via Axios|

#budget #housedemocrats #israel

policy11 days ago•4 min saved

California launches $3,500 instant EV rebate to replace federal tax credit

California will offer a $3,500 instant rebate for new electric vehicles, funded by a $135 million state fund (matched by automaker grants) and part of a budget deal, to fill the gap after the federal $7,500 credit ended; the program will also include rebates for used EVs and is expected to be limited to California residents as the state maintains leadership in EV adoption.

via USA Today|

#automakers #budget #california

politics11 days ago•6 min saved

Newsom signs final $351.7B California budget funded by stock-market windfall

California Gov. Gavin Newsom signed his final state budget at $351.7 billion, largely funded by stock-market gains of the wealthy, and expanding programs like free school meals, universal transitional kindergarten, childcare slots and Medi-Cal. The plan raises concerns from analysts about a potentially temporary revenue bump and growing ongoing costs, with the LAO cautioning that the state has dipped into reserves to balance funds in recent years. Education and Medi-Cal remain the largest expenditures, while adjustments to asset limits and care delivery aim to control costs; the budget takes effect July 1.

via Los Angeles Times|

#budget #california #education

entertainment11 days ago•20 min saved

DC's Supergirl Debut Flops, Forcing a Budget-First Reset for DC Studios

Warner Bros. and DC Studios’ Supergirl opened to about $38M domestic and $68M globally, signaling a pricey misfire that could result in a substantial loss and underscoring the difficulty of launching a shared universe. Analysts say the film’s underperformance, combined with a high breakeven and lack of backend deals for its cast, favors a leaner, cheaper production approach and a more selective slate as DC plans future releases like Superman: Man of Tomorrow.

via Variety|

#box-office #budget #dc-studios

politics12 days ago•4 min saved

NJ budget sails with bigger surplus and hundreds of targeted additions

Lawmakers unveiled a revised FY2027 New Jersey budget of $60.743 billion, only $15 million above Gov. Mikie Sherrill’s proposal, aided by stronger-than-expected tax collections that lift the year-end surplus to about $6.49 billion. The plan preserves a large opening balance and funds hundreds of targeted programs and local grants—spanning mental health, housing, re-entry initiatives, food security, and more—while making department-level increases (DCA, State, Children and Families, Health, Transportation) and offsetting reductions in Human Services and Education. Revenue gains from income, business, and insurance taxes counterbalance slower sales tax and investment earnings.”,

via New Jersey Globe|

#appropriations #budget #new-jersey

personal-finance12 days ago•5 min saved

Rethinking Wealth: 11 Expert Tips for Budgeting, Investing, and Early Retirement

A diverse group of 11 finance experts argues that wealth-building goes beyond frugality: start investing now (even $1 in index funds), rethink homeownership, define what “enough” means to retire early, negotiate debt, avoid commission-based advisers and store cards, involve family in a child’s education savings, invest in mental wellness as a financial asset, and set up wills or trusts early—while acknowledging systemic barriers in capitalism and offering practical steps to gain financial independence.

via The Guardian|

#budget #estate-planning #investing

politics13 days ago•5 min saved

Newsom seals $351.7B California budget, bets on reserves to weather volatility

Governor Newsom and lawmakers reached a $351.7 billion budget deal that uses a windfall from stock gains and new taxes to avoid deep cuts, while boosting funding for schools, healthcare, childcare and housing, and proposing a larger rainy-day reserve via a constitutional amendment. The plan aims to weather revenue swings, but economists warn the fix may be temporary and the state remains structurally reliant on reserves amid a long-term deficit.

via Los Angeles Times|

#budget #california #newsom