NC Budget & Tax Center

TSA, EPA workers in the Triangle feeling effects of government shutdown An EPA worker said she's worried these furloughs will affect the public's health.

NC's federal workers are already struggling due to partial or no pay during the shutdown. To make matters worse, the White House on Friday began moving forward with illegal layoffs and is threatening to refuse back pay when the shutdown ends.

Trump Administration Admits Immigration Enforcement Threatens Higher Food Prices <blockquote><br /><strong><em>In an unusual acknowledgment, the Labor Department said that tougher immigration enforcement is hurting farmers and the food supply.</em>&lt...

Through their labor in fields and factories, immigrants put food on the table for millions. Increased enforcement is threatening higher costs for families and disruptions to food production.

graph of corporate income tax elimination track in north carolina

Big corporations will be paying NOTHING in income tax in NC by 2030.

Learn more about who pays income taxes, how it helps keep our public resources thriving, and how you can take action: ncbudget.org/fundour...

REMINDER: The 1.4 million North Carolinas who receive food assistance through SNAP still have access to those resources in October. Keep up to date about the gov shutdown’s potential impact on SNAP below.

The health care emergency behind the government shutdown Health care costs are about to skyrocket for working North Carolinians, but GOP lawmakers are prioritizing tax breaks for the wealthy.

North Carolina is facing a health care crisis. Will the outcome of the federal government shutdown make that better or worse for North Carolinians?

As the federal shutdown drags on, here's how furloughed workers in NC can access unemployment benefits Federal employees impacted by the government shutdown can apply for unemployment benefits from the state while they are furloughed. However, if they receive backpay from their employer, the benefits must be paid back to the state.

Reminder: Public programs are still helping people, even during a government shutdown. Learn more about unemployment benefits and insurance for federal workers below:

A shutdown is not a reason to fire people. Period.

North Carolina’s 85,000 federal workers deserve stability, not to be used as bargaining chips in a budget fight that endangers their well-being and ours.

NC mother worries about government shutdown's effects on WIC program If Congress doesn't solve the government shutdown soon, the nutrition program for women, infants and children, commonly known as WIC, could run out of money within a week or two. Amarachi Uche talked with a nutrition director and a mother who relies on WIC benefits to learn the impact.

Over 260,000 women, infants, and children in NC are facing the same worries of not having enough to support their families during the government shutdown. It’s crucial for Congress to end this shutdown the right way by protecting affordable healthcare.

Shutdown day eight: Congress standoff unchanged as first missed federal payday nears • NC Newsline Congress has just one week to break the stalemate and fund the government before active duty military members miss their first paycheck of the shutdown.

The shutdown, now in its second week since starting Oct 1, is hurting NC families. Congress must act to end it responsibly by protecting affordable health care and stopping the President’s freeze on essential federal funding.

line graph titled: Poverty in NC has decreased since the Great Recession, but has been high for decades

Good news? Poverty in NC has decreased since the Great Recession
Bad news? Poverty rates are still high in comparison to the national average.

Learn how our lawmakers can reduce poverty in NC by reading our latest publication: ncbudget.org/beyond-... #poverty #nc #recession

graph titled: Incomes of the richest North Carolinians have pulled away from the rest over the last 15 years

Income inequality has increased in North Carolina. By 2024, average incomes for the richest were 29 times greater than those of the poorest.

It’s time for NC lawmakers to make sure the richest in our state pay what they owe in taxes.

graph

In September 2025, the US Census Bureau released annual data on poverty, income, and health insurance coverage for 2024.

Read our overview for NC and the public policy choices that influence these outcomes.
ncbudget.org/beyond-...

work, wages, and wellbeing: different people dressed in different labor outfits

NC’s economy isn’t working for everyday people.
That’s why we are taking a deeper dive to examine:
- Unemployment rates
- Racial, ethnic, and gender wage gaps
- Issues with current wages
…and more! Read our latest analysis at our labor market hub: ncbudget.org/work/

congress must end the shutdown the right way.

To end the shutdown the right way and protect the health and wellbeing of people in North Carolina, the federal budget needs to protect affordable health care and stop Presidential action to illegally claw back or freeze promised funding.
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Administration Plans for Mass Firings in a Shutdown Not Justified by Law or Prudent Management | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities Raising the prospect of mass layoffs as direct retaliation if Democrats do not accede to the House Republicans’ short-term funding proposal is simply an Administration threat to hurt the American people if it does not get its way.

President Trump has said he is willing to maximize the harm of a shutdown, potentially even taking extra-legal actions to layoff federal workers. We should reject efforts to use our lives as leverage in negotiating a budget that should serve us all.
www.cbpp.org/researc...
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77% of americans want congress to extend premium tax credit enhancements

People across the country overwhelmingly want to see their elected leaders make health care affordable and accessible. The federal budget is an important way that Congressional leaders can make this happen.
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Inflation Reduction Act Health Insurance Subsidies: What is Their Impact and What Would Happen if They Expire? | KFF Enhanced premium subsidies were first made available under the American Rescue Plan Act and extended until the end of 2025 under the Inflation Reduction Act. This analysis shows the impact that enhanced subsidies have had on enrollment and premium payments, and the potential implications if the enhanced subsidies expire.

In NC we're already stretched thin thanks to our state's upside-down tax code that gives handouts to the wealthy and corporations. Health care premiums would DOUBLE without these premium tax credit enhancements, putting our community's health at risk.
www.kff.org/affordab...
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Along with President Trump, they need to come to the table with Democrats to reach an agreement that prevents health care cost spikes for millions of people and ensures that the President can’t unilaterally undo bipartisan laws.
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Congressional Republicans are refusing to pass a budget that funds enhanced premium tax credits that keep health coverage on the Affordable Care Act marketplace affordable for hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians.
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Understanding the Legal Framework Governing a Shutdown | Center on Budget and Policy Priorities A government shutdown does not provide the Administration any additional legal authority to fire federal employees, limit review of its actions by federal courts, or freeze funding once full-year appropriations are provided.

The federal government has partially shut down. This happens when Congress doesn’t agree to a funding proposal by September 30th, their fiscal year deadline.

www.cbpp.org/researc...
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picture of a hand holding raffle ticket in front of spin wheel. Text reads the following: Be part of BTC's Well-Being Raffle. Join our Well-Being raffle and help build a North Carolina where every family has what they need to thrive — not just survive! Deadline is October 3.

Make a difference and win some prizes by joining our BTC raffle! For just $10, you get a chance to win some amazing prizes and help us get one step closer to achieving well-being for all in NC. Tickets are available until 7 pm on Oct. 3. - NCbudget.org/raffle

apply for our 2026 betternc fellowship!

🎊Attention North Carolina advocates! Applications are open for our 2026 BetterNC Fellowship! 🎊

The deadline to apply is Sunday, November 9 at 11:59pm⬇️NCBudget.org/BetterNC

picture of a hand holding raffle ticket in front of spin wheel. Text reads the following: Be part of BTC's Well-Being Raffle. Join our Well-Being raffle and help build a North Carolina where every family has what they need to thrive — not just survive! Deadline is October 3.

Want a chance to win some amazing prizes from local businesses like Videri and Frog Hollow Outfitters? Join our Well-Being raffle and help build a North Carolina where every family has what they need to thrive — not just survive! - NCbudget.org/raffle

Did you know that 75 percent of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene remains unaddressed one year later?

NC lawmakers need to wake up and realize this isn’t the time to push tax cuts for corporations. It’s time to:
🏠Address housing needs for disaster victims
🏪Support small businesses impacted by Helene
🛣️Invest in infrastructure resiliency against climate disasters
#ncpol #ncga

No more tax cuts: Western North Carolinians deserve a budget that prioritizes people - NC Budget & Tax Center It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene first hit Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024. With so many recovery needs still yet to be addressed and so little help from the federal government, it’s time for the state legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes people and stops cutting taxes.   Helene caused an immense…

Hurricane Helene has caused damage to the well-being of WNC. Neither the federal nor state govt has taken seriously the recovery needs of disaster survivors.

NC needs more funding for disaster recovery, not more tax cuts for the rich. #ncpol #ncga

works, wages, and well-being image

NC's economy isn’t working for everyday people.

That’s why we are taking a deeper dive to examine:
- Unemployment rates
- Racial, ethnic, and gender wage gaps
- Issues with current wages

…and more! Read our latest analysis at our labor market hub: ncbudget.org/work/

No more tax cuts: Western North Carolinians deserve a budget that prioritizes people - NC Budget & Tax Center It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene first hit Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024. With so many recovery needs still yet to be addressed and so little help from the federal government, it’s time for the state legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes people and stops cutting taxes.   Helene caused an immense…

Did you know that 75% of the damage caused by Hurricane Helene remains unaddressed 1 year later?

Instead of #NCGA prioritizing the recovery of WNC, they’d rather push for tax cuts for corporations & the rich that will cost us BILLIONS in revenue. #ncpol

No more tax cuts: Western North Carolinians deserve a budget that prioritizes people - NC Budget & Tax Center It’s been one year since Hurricane Helene first hit Western North Carolina on Sept. 27, 2024. With so many recovery needs still yet to be addressed and so little help from the federal government, it’s time for the state legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes people and stops cutting taxes.   Helene caused an immense…

It’s been one year since Hurricane #Helene hit Western NC.

With so many recovery needs still yet to be addressed and so little help from the fed govt, it’s time for the state legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes the people. #ncpol

Hurricane Helene has caused Western NC $60 billion in damages making it the costliest storm to ever hit North Carolina. A year has passed, and North Carolina lawmakers have left 75 percent of the damage unaddressed.

With so many recovery needs still yet to be addressed and so little help from the federal government, it’s time for the state legislature to pass a budget that prioritizes people and stops cutting taxes.

Read more in our recent publication: ncbudget.org/no-more...

people of different ages and race and genders standing in front of NC map outline

Every family in North Carolina should be able to afford health coverage, regardless of their zip code or income. #ncpol
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