RALEIGH --- The compromise budget rolled out by the General Assembly is meeting with predictably mixed reviews. Republicans and conservatives say is it a common-sense proposal which provides increases in teacher pay, tax breaks to boost the economy and provides more to save for a rainy day. Democrats and progressives say it gives too much to rich and hurts the poor.

Senate Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) and House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) held a joint press conference announced details of the roughly $23 billion budget and tax relief agreement reached between the state House and Senate.

“As a result of responsible budgeting decisions, millions of middle-class families and job-creating small businesses will keep more of their earnings under this plan. The 2017 state budget delivers $530 million in tax relief, with 99 percent of taxpayers either paying less or paying no state personal income taxes at all,” according to joint statement from the two leaders.

The 2017 compromise budget increases spending by three percent over last year’s budget and focuses that increase in key areas, like providing nearly $700 million more for public education. The budget continues implementing a plan announced last year to dramatically increase teacher pay – providing teachers an average 3.3 percent raise this year and 9.6 percent raise over two years, while also ensuring they earn far more over the course of their careers.

Along with substantially increasing school principal pay, it also directs more than $180 million in the first year alone toward compensation increases to state employees, providing them a $1,000 across-the-board raise.  And it provides a permanent cost-of-living adjustment to state retirees.

It provides $100 million in disaster relief assistance to victims of Hurricane Matthew and adds $363 million to the state’s rainy day fund – bringing the savings reserve to its highest total ever.

And it includes provisions to fund public school construction in economically struggling, rural counties, add thousands of slots to the pre-K program, offer opioid and substance abuse treatment statewide and create a program for local communities to improve public infrastructure to help attract major industrial employers.

“I commend my Senate and House colleagues for their commitment to delivering substantial tax relief to the middle class, continuing our multiple-year effort to dramatically increase teacher pay and improve education outcomes, and helping rebuild communities devastated by Hurricane Matthew – while saving for a rainy day,” said Berger. “Gov. Roy Cooper should support this plan that achieves what he has said are important priorities for our state.”

“Gov. Cooper will sign this budget if he cares about increasing the zero-tax bracket for low-income North Carolinians, keeping a long-term commitment to increasing teacher pay, providing disaster relief to hurricane-hit regions and protecting the state from future emergencies through smart savings and responsible spending,” said Moore.

But, those on the other side of the isle said more could be done to help those in need.

“At first glance, it's clear the General Assembly has chosen yet again to help those who need it least at the expense of our public services. Our state should prioritize substantive raises for our teachers, meaningful economic development, and tangible investments in the middle class, not even more tax giveaways that disproportionately help the wealthy and corporations,” said state Democratic Party Wayne Goodwin.

It is not clear yet whether Governor Roy Cooper will sign the budget, veto the measure of let it pass without his signature. At this point, it appears there’s enough votes to override a veto.