RALEIGH, N.C. – Last week, the North Carolina General Assembly ratified its 2022 State Budget, which passed 38-9 in the Senate and 85-27 in the House. The spending plan includes 4.2% raises for teachers and "opportunity scholarships" for low-income public-school students to pay for private school tuition.  It also included a 4% non-recurring payment from the general fund to supplement what retirees receive from the retirement system.

State Senator Jim Perry (R-Lenoir) and state Representative Chris Humphrey (R-Lenoir) announced several local initiatives that are set to receive funding in this latest round of state appropriations.

“We’ve taken a measured approach, passing a fiscally conservative state budget that still brings back over $20 million of our tax dollars to our community,” said Perry, “We remember what happened in 2009 when overspending met a recession.  We don’t want to see families impacted with lost jobs, furloughs, and huge budget cuts. Winter is coming.”

“We’re fighting against inflation and the reckless spending in Washington by putting forward a responsible state budget,” said Humphrey “Our spending plan ensures North Carolina is ready for a potential recession while still investing in education, economic development, teacher & state employee raises, infrastructure, and school safety initiatives.”

Projects receiving funding from the state budget include:

·      $5,633,950 to the Town of Pink Hill for wastewater and stormwater infrastructure

·      $5,000,000 to Lenoir County for water and wastewater infrastructure projects.

·      $3,000,000 to East Carolina University for Telehealth/Healthcare Digital Transformation, establishing the space, equipment, and technology to support innovative healthcare delivery.

·      $2,400,000 to Lenoir County for local projects and other directed public purposes.

·      $1,950,000 to Wayne Community College for capital improvements and needed equipment.

·      $1,200,000 to the University of Mount Olive for support in accreditation and operations.

·      $600,000 to Lenoir County for equipment related to emergency services.

·      $500,000 to the Eastern NC Food Commercialization Center in Ayden, NC, for operating costs.

·      $400,000 to the Southeast Drainage Office for stream and river cleanup, maintenance, and drainage of waterways in Pitt County and surrounding counties.

·      $250,000 to the Wayne County Historical Association.

·      $100,000 to the City of Goldsboro for capital improvements and needed equipment.

·      $100,000 to the Fremont Heritage Museum and Preservation Society for capital improvements and needed equipment.

·      $100,000 to the Town of Pikeville for capital improvements and needed equipment.

·      $50,000 to the City of Goldsboro for capital improvements and needed equipment in the Parks and Recreation Department.

·      $50,000 to the Pikeville-Pleasant Grove Volunteer Fire Department for capital improvements and needed equipment.