A compromise reached before the N.C. Senate votes on its own version of the state budget means more funding for UNC-system schools.
Universities would now face a cut of 12 percent or $347 million if funding reductions in the Senate budget were adopted in the bill’s final version, maintaining a $37.9 million reduction for the system’s need-based financial aid program. The Senate’s budget originally included a cut of 12.4 percent or $359 million for the system.
K-12 public schools benefited the most from the negotiations, which reduced their cut from 8.8 percent to 5.8 percent. Legislators have previously said that public schools lack the additional resources of universities, such as tuition, grants and endowments.
The Senate is expected to debate its budget in session today before the first of two required floor votes. A final budget must be signed by Gov. Bev Perdue before the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
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