As the holiday season descends upon North Carolina, the shadow of a governmental impasse looms large with the state being the lone wolf in not passing its budget for the upcoming biennium — a seemingly stark lapse in legislative function, one the John Locke Foundation has not shied away from criticizing.
With a budget that should have taken effect on July 1, Governor Josh Stein has called time and again for action, even proposing what has been framed as a "responsible and balanced budget" back in March, followed by further proposals in fall aimed at funding critical services and raising wages for public servants, asserting "the people of North Carolina deserve better" and urging the General Assembly to pass a "comprehensive, fiscally responsible budget." Still, as we unwrap the realities of these festive times, steely doors remain shut, with the governor's pleas for a special session on Medicaid back earlier in November falling on seemingly deaf legislative ears, according to the Governor's Office.
In a time-honored tradition dating back to at least 1995, a budget has unfailingly been ratified before Thanksgiving, but this year has punctuated that streak with an unmistakable mark of absence, the John Locke Foundation emphasizing this deviation with direct remarks about the General Assembly's accountability, saying, "Now, North Carolina stands alone. It is the only state in the nation that was expected to pass a budget in 2025 and failed to do so," as per the Governor's Office.
The Foundation didn’t hold back in criticizing the legislature, calling out not only the delay but the complete failure to send a budget to the governor for approval or veto. Meanwhile, North Carolinians are left frustrated, expecting their leaders to perform one of government’s most basic duties: passing a budget on time. Instead, the state is stuck in political gridlock with no clear end in sight.
Governor Stein continues to push for action, emphasizing that his focus is on securing the resources people need—fair pay for teachers and law enforcement, stronger healthcare services, fully funded Medicaid, and other essentials. His message is clear: lawmakers need to stop stalling and deliver for the people of North Carolina.
