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Welcome our 2026 Better NC Fellowship Cohort!
The North Carolina Budget & Tax Center is excited to announce the 2026 cohort of the Better NC Fellowship! This year, we welcome our largest cohort yet, with fifteen North Carolina leaders representing eight counties across the state. In collaboration with the NC Black Alliance, the NC Budget & Tax Center hosts the Better NC…
5 Things to Know About North Carolina’s Economy as 2026 begins
North Carolinians power our economy through their work every day, in every corner of the state — from growing and harvesting our food, to caring for and educating our children, to researching and developing new medicines and technologies that improve our lives. Their labor powers our economy. Yet, for many families, rising costs are making the…
Ahead of the NC Chamber’s Economic Forecast Forum: 5 Things to Know About North Carolina’s Economy in 2026
As business and policy leaders gather Monday at the NC Chamber and North Carolina Bankers Association’s 24th Annual Economic Forecast Forum to discuss growth and competitiveness, it’s important to ground the conversation in how the economy is actually working for people across the state — and what risks lie ahead. Here are five things to know about…
North Carolina is at the bottom of the rankings for public school funding. It doesn’t have to be that way.
Each year, the Education Law Center publishes its “Making the Grade” report, ranking the 50 states and Washington, D.C. on their funding for public education. Most of us — across race, place, and background — all want to live in a North Carolina where everyone has access to a great public education, teachers make a livable wage, and we can build the foundation for a more secure future. However, December 2025’s “Making the…
Jan. 1: Tax cuts for the rich in NC — still no state budget
The New Year will bring little certainty to everyday North Carolinians. State legislators have failed to use the policy tools available to them to address rising costs for the basics, from food to child-care to housing. Instead of passing a state budget this year, state legislative leaders couldn’t agree to put people first. They are…
Slide deck: NC General Assembly Session Summary 2025
The NC General Assembly is done for the year. They missed the mark on addressing North Carolina’s priorities this session. Check out this slide deck summarizing the 2025 Long Session and where legislative leaders fell short. Download the PDF here.
Statement on NC Governor’s Call to Cancel Medicaid Reimbursement Rate Reductions from Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of NC Budget & Tax Center
Millions of North Carolinians rely on Medicaid so their children can see a doctor, aging parents can get care in their homes and community, and families are supported to achieve the well-being we all deserve. Funding this care should be automatic — not tax cuts for the wealthy and big corporations. Today’s restoration of Medicaid…
Investing in our colleges is investing in North Carolinians
All people deserve the opportunity to thrive. This means having the chance to develop one’s talents and skills and find meaningful and fulfilling work that pays a living wage. To make this a reality, we need well-funded systems in place that allow everyone, regardless of their gender, race, or class, the opportunity to improve their…