Advocacy Update: Still No Budget
Monday, August 31, 2015
By Kay Castillo, Director of Advocacy, Policy, and Legislation
Legislators are still at it. A THIRD Continuing Resolution was filed last week to extend the budget from August 31st until September 18th. No changes in spending were made. During discussions on the Resolution, legislators commented that they are closer than ever on the budget and that parts of the budget are even finalized already. Legislators hope to have a budget done well before the 18th.
During closed door budget negotiations, a deal was reached on state employee pay increases. A $750 bonus will be given to state employees around late December if the budget goes through as discussed. This is disappointing as it is not the level of compensation that NASW-NC had been advocating for. We will continue to work on state employee pay raises- across the board- in preparation for the next legislative session.
Lastly, a big farewell to Representative Rick Glazier who announced he is officially resigning Friday, August 28th. This comes after an announcement earlier this summer that this session would be his last. Over the last 13 years, no legislator has better supported the social work profession than Representative Glazier. In 2010, he received the NASW-NC Legislator of the Year Award. While we will miss him in the NC General Assembly, we look forward to working with him in his new position with the NC Justice Center.
NASW-NC works on behalf of the social work profession on a variety of issues. It is a member benefit provided by NASW-NC to have a registered lobbyist advancing and supporting the profession of social work in North Carolina. The North Carolina Chapter works with National NASW on Federal issues such as reimbursement rates, immigration, student loans, and more. Your membership dues help support our advocacy efforts everyday on the state and federal levels. Thank YOU for being a member and staying engaged in supporting the social work profession.
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