Senator Lisa Grafstein discusses the state budget debate and an effort to curb voting rights

Podcasts Archives • NC Newsline · Jun 22, 2026 · 20m

Sen. Lisa Grafstein (Photo: NCGA)

With a new state government fiscal year set to commence on July first, North Carolina state legislators have still yet to pass a budget for

the year that’s coming to an end on June 30th. We’re the only state in the union in which this is the case.

While the state has continued to function at a basic level, the lack of funding certainty, and even minimal raises for teachers and other state employees, has caused enormous hardship. Meanwhile, even as the budget and the negotiations around it remain shrouded in secrecy, other important proposals – including more…