From state budget surprises to freedom on the line: The week's top stories on Policy Watch

In this issue: 1. State budget has plenty of surprises, including lots of earmarks and lower raises than state employees wanted Developing a state spending plan in secret, North Carolina Republicans used most of the state’s water and sewer improvement money for earmarked projects, lifted financial limits for families who want private school vouchers, and helped subsidize hog industry biogas plans. Republicans released their $27.9 billion budget late Tuesday afternoon and plan to have it pass both House and Senate by the end of the week. Legislators had more money to spend than they thought they would. Economists with the legislature’s Fiscal Research Division and the Office of State Budget and Management said in a May financial forecast that the state will take in more than 10% over two years, or $6.2 billion more, than was estimated in June 2021. In a joint statement, House Speaker Tim Moore and Senate leader Phil Berger said, “This is a responsible budget that responds to our current needs and plans for an uncertain future.”  [Read more…] 2. Wildlife Resources hastily rescued a species of rare fish. Now we know whether the beloved brookies survived On a crisp summer morning in the mountains, TJ Johnson,…
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