The House and Senate released their proposed budget late last night.  The Senate is expected to have its first vote on the budget today, and the House is expected to hold its first vote tomorrow.  Legislators hope to have all final votes on the budget by the end of the weekend. Some of the budget highlights include: Teacher Compensation The final budget provides for a new six-step teacher salary schedule.  The new salary schedule can be found on page 50 of the budget bill linked here:  http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2013/budget/2014/S744-CCSMDXF-1-v-62.pdf Teachers who began work toward their masters by August 1, 2013 will continue

Link to WRAL article summarizing key budget provisions.  The budget will now be voted on by the House and Senate: http://www.wral.com/budget-deal-trims-spending-on-social-programs-boosts-teacher-pay/13855284/

To see the newly released budget go to www.ncleg.net

The House today removed language in the technical corrections bill that would have eliminated the Child Fatality Task Force.

The House technical corrections bill discussed today in the House Rules Committee contains a provision to eliminate the Child Fatality Task Force.   The technical corrections, HB 1133, will now be voted on by the full House.   The full text of the bill can be viewed here: http://www.ncleg.net/Applications/BillLookUp/LoadBillDocument.aspx?SessionCode=2013&DocNum=9555&SeqNum=0

WRAL article on today’s Senate Finance Committee meeting on modified local sales tax bill:  http://www.wral.com/senate-eases-local-sales-tax-restrictions/13829190/

House Bill 1224 is scheduled to be heard on Monday July 21 at 5:30 by the Senate Finance Committee. This bill, if passed, would prevent counties from raising sales taxes to pay for both public education and public transportation.  The bill would allow counties to use the proceeds of part of the local sales and use tax for public transportation or public education.  In other words, this bill limits local governments’ ability to invest in both education and transportation. If you are interested in speaking out on this bill, you can find contact information for your state senator here.

The General Assembly passed Senate Bill 812 today.  This bill repeals the Common Core State Standards but allows the State to continue to consider elements of Common Core.  The bill also creates a new Academic Standards Review Commission. To view Senate Bill 812, click here Governor McCrory stated that he plans to sign Senate Bill 812 into law.

House and Senate budget conferees met this morning to discuss the education budget.  House conferees stayed to listen to presentations by superintendents and teachers on the importance of teacher salary increase and teacher assistants.