Why NC Helene funding bill could be stalled in General Assembly
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — More than $450 million in Helene relief funding could be held up in the North Carolina General Assembly if Senators decide to incorporate it in the budget instead of passing it as a separate bill.
House members passed the $464 million relief measure as a standalone bill on Thursday, meaning it could just go on to the Senate, be passed, and then immediately head to the Governor's desk.
But top Senators may negotiate the funding as part of the overall budget instead.
Those negotiations can take weeks, meaning the funding could be stalled.
'However they decide to do it, we just need to get it done. We don't know what's going to happen with federal support and we just need to get those resources to the people of western North Carolina,' said Senator Natalie Murdock.
Top Representatives say they're hopeful negotiations on the budget will go smoothly with the Senate.
'As in the past, there will be a give or take on certain areas, areas that are priorities for each of the chambers, so you know in order to get anything done in here especially a budget with so much in it, you have to compromise on each side,' Representative Destin Hall said.
But some Senate Democrats are less optimistic and say the Helene funding shouldn't be caught in the crossfire.
'I think it should be a separate bill since it looks like the budget is more controversial than maybe any of us would've wanted it to be,' Senator Julie Mayfield said.
Lawmakers won't be back in Raleigh until the first week of June to start those negotiations.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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