NC Lawmakers Face Packed Agenda for 'Short Session'

Unfinished business from 2025, including the state budget, Medicaid funding, and property tax reform, top the to-do list.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 1:53pm

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A dynamic, abstract painting featuring the North Carolina state capitol building repeated in overlapping, fragmented geometric shapes in shades of blue, green, and orange, capturing the chaotic energy and unfinished business of the legislative session.The North Carolina legislature faces a packed agenda and unresolved tensions as it convenes for a pivotal 'short session'.Today in Raleigh

North Carolina lawmakers are facing a long list of unresolved issues as they return to Raleigh for the 2026 'short' legislative session, including the lack of a state budget, Medicaid funding, and rising property taxes. The session is expected to be dominated by efforts to finally pass a budget, as well as debates over tax policy, education, and immigration.

Why it matters

The inability of the Republican-controlled legislature to pass a budget in 2025 has left the state in a precarious position, with public employees, teachers, and infrastructure projects all waiting for funding. Resolving the budget impasse and addressing other pressing issues like Medicaid and property taxes will be crucial for the state's economic and social well-being.

The details

The 2025 legislative session was notoriously unproductive, with only 97 bills becoming law - a record low for odd-year 'long' sessions. The lack of a budget has left public school teachers, state employees, and law enforcement without raises, and key infrastructure needs unmet. Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall are at odds over tax policy and funding for a standalone children's hospital. Meanwhile, the state is facing a $819 million annual shortfall in Medicaid funding due to reduced federal support, inflation, and increased enrollment. Lawmakers are also grappling with the fallout from high property tax reevaluations, with Berger proposing a bill to halt all property tax reevaluations for a year.

  • The 2026 'short' legislative session begins on April 21.
  • In April or May, the state is projected to begin running out of funds to pay Medicaid bills.
  • In November, voters may get a say on a proposed constitutional amendment to limit property tax increases.

The players

Phil Berger

Republican Senate President Pro Tempore who recently lost his primary, but remains a key figure in budget negotiations.

Destin Hall

Republican House Speaker who is at odds with Berger over tax policy and Medicaid funding.

Melanie Bush

North Carolina Medicaid Deputy Secretary who has warned lawmakers that the state needs an additional $319 million annually to continue paying Medicaid bills.

Sydney Batch

Democratic Senate Minority Leader who has criticized Republicans for not passing a budget and leaving state employees and teachers without raises.

Chris Cooper

Political science professor at Western Carolina University who has analyzed the political dynamics surrounding the budget impasse.

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What they’re saying

“There's a difference between running out of funds and being unable to pay our bills. We would like to pay our bills too, and so that's why we really are asking the General Assembly to move as quickly as possible to get that funding in place.”

— Melanie Bush, North Carolina Medicaid Deputy Secretary

“They're asking people to survive on 2023 income, especially our state employees and our teachers, (even though) we have 2026 problems and costs.”

— Sydney Batch, Senate Minority Leader

“He has essentially no personal incentive at this point. It's not about his power. And if he really believes that the current budget is a bad deal, then that makes sense that he would just kind of let it go.”

— Chris Cooper, Political science professor

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This legislative session will be crucial for North Carolina as lawmakers work to resolve the state's budget impasse, address Medicaid funding shortfalls, and tackle the growing burden of rising property taxes. The outcome of these debates will have far-reaching implications for the state's public services, economic well-being, and political landscape.