Legislative Update May 2026

Legislative leaders in the North Carolina General Assembly announced a proposed budget framework on Monday, May 12, that outlines agreement on several major budget items, including raises and bonuses for state employees. The framework was announced by Speaker Destin Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and serves as a starting point for broader budget negotiations.

What’s included in the proposed framework:

• State employee raises: Average 3% salary increase for state employees, effective once the budget is enacted.
• Employee bonuses:
  • $1,750 one-time bonus for employees making less than $65,000
  • $1,000 one-time bonus for employees making more than $65,000
  •  Bonuses would be paid shortly after budget enactment.

What’s next:

• The framework establishes agreement on broad budget priorities, but negotiations on a full state budget are ongoing. The proposed outline is not a final budget. 
• The UNC System’s other legislative priority, enrollment growth funding, will continue to be part of negotiations between the House and Senate.

More information will be shared with campus as it becomes available.

If you have any questions, contact Joe Bost, special assistant to the chancellor for external relations and partnerships, at jbost21@charlotte.edu.