OFFICIAL STATEMENT
The Office of Senator Kirk deViere | Senate District 19 – Cumberland County
The North Carolina General Assembly
Contact: Nathaniel Jacobs | Nathaniel.Jacobs@ncleg.gov
November 16, 2021
Senator deViere’s Statement on the State Budget Vote
RALEIGH, N.C. – Today, I cast a yes vote for the state’s budget. This is a bi-partisan, compromise budget that invests over 52.9 billion dollars and one that Governor Cooper has stated he will sign into law. North Carolinians deserve and need a budget. And Cumberland County deserves an investment in our community. During these budget negotiations I fought for our priorities and used my voice to increase pay for teachers, state employees, community college and university faculty and hourly workers. I also worked to increase bonuses to our community college and public education retirees as well as more investment in our children for early childhood and Pre-K. Through much discussion we were able to increase funding for the protection of our environment and historic investment in our natural resources. This budget invests over 1 billion dollars in ensuring broadband access and reducing the digital divide. One of the major highlights in this budget and something I fought passionately for is a state income tax exemption for the military retirement pension. As a veteran I have personally advocated strongly for this exemption in support of our veterans and military personnel. While we did not see Medicaid expansion in this budget we have laid the groundwork for expansion in 2022. Cumberland County will see a historic level of direct funding with over 400 million dollars invested all across our county and which will positively affect the lives of each of our citizens. In the coming days, I will provide more details on this budget.
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