As Fall settles across North Carolina, the General Assembly continues to meet once a month for its scheduled reconvening. Lawmakers are set to return to Raleigh on Monday, October 20, to take up several high-profile items, though a final state budget remains unresolved. 

One major action anticipated next week involves Republican plans to redraw the state’s U.S. House district map to help the GOP maintain its majority in Congress during the 2026 midterm elections. The new maps are expected to yield an additional Republican seat from the state. Passing a new congressional map only requires action from the House and Senate, of which Republicans hold a majority, and are not subject to Governor Josh Stein’s veto.

Also on the House calendar are several veto overrides. Rep. Cecil Brockman’s (D-Guilford) absence from the legislature due to recent felony charges may affect the outcome of these votes, as Republicans need a 60% majority to successfully override a veto. Of the six bills potentially considered for override, the following four impact K-12 education.

• H87: Educational Choice for Children Act (ECCA) – Authorizes North Carolina to participate in the tax credit (up to $1,700) under the federal HR.1 One Big Beautiful Bill Act for individual contributions to certain scholarship-granting organizations that provide scholarships for qualified K-12 education expenses.
• H171: Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI – Prohibits a State agency or local government unit from: (1) using State funds or public money to promote, fund, implement or maintain DEI initiatives or programs and (2) applying for, accepting, or utilizing federal funds, grants, or other assistance that require compliance with DEI policies, initiatives, or mandates.
• S50: Freedom to Carry NC – Allows the carry of a concealed handgun without a concealed handgun permit, except as otherwise prohibited by law.
• S227 Eliminating DEI in Public K-12 Education – Prohibits DEI offices and “divisive concepts” in public school units.

Despite a week of activity, one item is missing – the comprehensive state budget. The House and Senate remain at a stalemate as North Carolina enters its fourth month without a state budget.

While the state government does not enter a full shutdown, like the federal government in the absence of a budget, there are still consequences. Vacant positions targeted for elimination must remain unfilled, and across-the-board pay raises and cost-of-living adjustments for teachers and state retirees remain stalled.

Two small budget bills did address pertinent funding issues such as school enrollment growth and authorizing step-increase raises, but the state’s larger fiscal priorities remain unresolved.