Karl Gillespie Legislative report

As we continue to recap the General Assembly's 2023 accomplishments, this week's edition of the Legislative Review focuses on key budget achievements as a result of the passage of House Bill 259.

The following provisions are included in HB259, 2023 Appropriations Act:

• Slashes personal income taxes, returning $1.2 billion to families

• Expands universal school choice to all North Carolina families

• Allocates $2 billion for water and sewer infrastructure upgrades

• Provides 7.4% raise for teachers, increasing average teacher pay to $60,671

• Funds implementation of voter ID requirement

• Provides 11% raise (16.5% with step increases) for State Highway Patrol

• Bans government COVID-19 vaccine mandates

• Gives state retirees a 4% cost-of-living-adjustment bonus

• Extends firefighter cancer program

• Directs 9% raise for school bus drivers

• Provides historic $640 million for mental health

• Allocates millions for programs supporting veterans in need

Did You Know?

NC Community Colleges see Highest Enrollment Jump in 15 Years

Enrollment in the NC Community College System soared in 2023, according to a release by the system.  

"North Carolina community colleges reported a five percent increase in Full-Time Equivalent student enrollment in Fall 2023 – marking the highest one-year enrollment jump in 15 years. This includes a 10 percent increase in workforce continuing education, nine percent in basic skills, and four percent in curriculum."

The entirety of the story can be read, here.