Yadkin County will benefit from items included in the final N.C. State budget which has been approved by the legislature, according to Rep. Lee Zachary.
In addition to pay raises and bonuses for teachers and state employees, as well as historic investments in education, infrastructure, and health care, the bipartisan budget includes key items that will benefit the county including:
• $2.25 million to establish a park at the Shallowford of the Yadkin River
• $1.5 million for a much-needed sally port elevator at the Yadkin County Courthouse (used to move prisoners)
• $3 million for Boonville’s water treatment system
• An increase of almost $580,000 annually for the Yadkin Campus of Surry Community College
• $150,000 for the community park in East Bend
In addition, other budget highlights include:
— A 5% pay raise for state employees and teachers (corrections officers will get an average 7% raise and probation and parole officers will get an average of 17%)
— $1 billion for broadband expansion
— $18 million for the North Wilkesboro Speedway
— $5 million to the NC Trucking Association Foundation to address the truck driver shortage in NC
— Reduces personal income tax rate from 5.25% to $3.99%, increases standard deduction to $25,500, and increases child tax deduction by $500
— Allows businesses impacted by COVID-19 to deduct expenses paid by PPP loans
— Eliminates state income tax on military pensions
— Increases education spending for K-12 education by $1.5 billion over the next two years
— Expands funding and eligibility for Opportunity Scholarships
— Improves broadband access for 25 rural community colleges
— $16 million to combat the opioid crisis
— $2 million for the No Veteran Left Behind project to assist veterans in crisis
— $129 million in COVID-19 federal relief funds for food banks, and meat, swine and dairy producers
— $30 million to combat human trafficking and provide support services for victims
— $5.6 million to improve safety at state prisons
— $346 million additional funding for highway maintenance and preservation
— Limit’s the governor’s emergency powers by requiring approval from the Council of State to extend a statewide emergency beyond 30 days
— Prohibits collusive settlements by the Attorney General
“A lot of time was put into this budget working with people on both sides of the aisle to ensure that North Carolinians have a solid budget,” said Rep. Zachary. “This is a strong budget for our state and our region.”