RALEIGH – At best, we’re treading water. An analysis of the budget state legislators approved in June reveals that when broken down per student, university spending is still nowhere near pre-recession levels and will essentially remain flat for the next two years. Yes, it’s true legislators provided more money than ever for our public universities… READ MORE
The good and bad of the 2017-19 state budget
RALEIGH (June 28, 2017) – Today the NC General Assembly overrode Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of the 2017-19 state budget that legislators approved last week. To be sure, there are things to like in the budget. There are raises for public school teachers of almost 10% over two years. There’s partial restoration of the NC… READ MORE
NC budget: Positive short-term, threatening long-term
RALEIGH (June 22, 2017) – At first glance, the budget compromise unveiled this week by legislative leaders seems encouraging. It would grant K-12 public school teachers an average raise of 3.3% this year and 9.6% over two years. It would give significant raises to K-12 principals, a priority of the group BEST NC. It would… READ MORE
State budget proposals: Still not enough
RALEIGH (June 7, 2017) – When it comes to higher education in North Carolina, budget proposals adopted in recent weeks by the NC Senate and NC House both have their strengths and flaws. By stifling the urge to keep cutting taxes, the budget proposed in March by Gov. Roy Cooper would do more for higher… READ MORE
NC Promise: $500 a semester tuition at WCU, UNCP, ECSU
CULLOWHEE – It was a bold move by the 2016 General Assembly – reducing tuition at three state universities to $500 a semester for in-state students, starting in the fall of 2018. Once room, board, books and fees are taken into account, Western Carolina University Chancellor David Belcher says, the NC Promise program should reduce… READ MORE
NC’s disinvestment: More tuition, more debt, fewer teachers
RALEIGH – Continuing our look at North Carolina’s disinvestment in public education, a shortfall in state support has meant higher tuition and more debt for university students and fewer teachers for students in our K-12 public schools. Though higher education is a public good that benefits us all – and our state constitution requires legislators… READ MORE
A long-term slide in NC education spending
RALEIGH – Since the mid-2000s, North Carolina has seen a general decline in expenditures per student in our K-12 public schools, community colleges and public universities. Likewise – despite a modest bump the past few years – the state’s rank in average K-12 teacher salaries has declined since 2000. Figures on average teacher salaries released… READ MORE
A challenge to legislators
RALEIGH – Gov. Roy Cooper’s proposed state budget for 2017-19 asks lawmakers to choose education over the tax cuts they’ve favored in recent years. “We have a world-class University System, a culture of innovation and creativity, and an abundance of natural beauty,” Cooper said in a letter presenting his budget to legislators. “However, over the past… READ MORE
Taking care of what we have
RALEIGH – Shiny new buildings are cool, but Gov. Roy Cooper apparently realizes we need to take care of what we have. The governor’s budget recommendation for 2017-19 includes $351 million in bonds to pay for renovations to state buildings,1 half of them in the University of North Carolina System. The needs are substantial –… READ MORE
Step up to fight NC’s biggest killer
RALEIGH – Gov. Roy Cooper’s budget plan includes a proposal that’s vital both to North Carolinians’ health and to our economy: Restoration of the University Cancer Research Fund to full funding.1 Nearly 40 percent of us will contract cancer at some point in our lives. Even if we manage to avoid it, we each have… READ MORE