Severance payments and benefits have been drawn down for at least 1,600 laid-off state government and education workers since July, North Carolina's state budget office said Wednesday. It again raises questions about the extent of layoffs caused by the Republican-penned budget.
Democratic Gov. Beverly Perdue and Republican legislative leaders confirmed Wednesday an agreement to fill a $515 million funding gap for the North Carolina state employee health insurance plan while keeping a free premium option for workers intact for at least another year.
A key North Carolina House committee on Wednesday approved a Republican budget proposal that critics say makes avoidable cuts in public education and health programs but that GOP leaders argue protects classroom teachers and health services for the poor.
North Carolina lawmakers went home for the weekend Thursday without an agreement on premiums for the health insurance plan for state workers, teachers and retirees, surpassing a deadline set by plan leaders.