N.C. General Assembly passes 2018-19 state budget

The North Carolina General Assembly has ratified and forwarded to Gov. Roy Cooper its budget proposal for 2018-19. While the legislation includes the enrollment funding for UNC System campuses appropriated in the two-year budget approved last year, it also contains an $800,000 recurring cut to UNC Charlotte’s budget.

Full-time state employees, including those with the UNC System, who currently earn less than $31,200 annually, will see their salaries increase to that level, equivalent to a rate of $15 per hour. Separately, the legislature has proposed a total of $20 million for salary increases for UNC System employees, an amount that is insufficient to support a 2 percent raise for University employees as has been reported by some media outlets. The UNC Board of Governors will determine the allocation of these funds and provide guidance on how raises will be implemented for both SHRA and EHRA employees.

All eligible state employees will receive five days of special bonus leave, which will expire at the time of separation from the state and are not eligible for cash-out payment.

UNC Charlotte’s Human Resources Office is awaiting further guidance from the UNC System Office on these legislative initiatives and will share more information with the campus community as soon as it is available.