state employees

North Carolina lawmakers begin voting on a $34 billion state budget plan that includes pay raises for state employees, teachers, and law enforcement, income tax cuts over the next decade, and funding for Hurricane Helene relief. The budget, negotiated by Republican leaders, also addresses repayment for Charlotte's I-77 expansion project and is expected to be finalized by Friday.

North Carolina teachers, state employees, and retirees are likely to face delayed July 1 pay raises and bonuses as lawmakers continue negotiating a state budget. The delay occurs with the new fiscal year approaching, leaving thousands uncertain about when compensation will be approved.

State employees are challenging Governor Gavin Newsom's return-to-office mandate, arguing that increased traffic from more workers commuting will hinder the state's carbon neutrality goals.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry traveled to Greenland after voters rejected his supported constitutional amendments, including a plan to provide K-12 teachers with a permanent pay increase. Landry declared no state employees would receive raises unless teachers got one first, but the legislature is proceeding with raises for some state workers despite his stance.

Turkmenistan has reportedly returned to widespread forced labor practices during its 2025 cotton harvest, reversing modest improvements made in 2023 and 2024. State employees are being mobilized into cotton fields as part of the harvest process, indicating a regression in labor practices.

New York Governor Kathy Hochul signed an executive order prohibiting state employees from using insider information to bet on prediction markets, citing growing concerns over insider betting.