Common Cause NC is calling on state lawmakers to implement a better budget process that requires real transparency and invites robust public input to create a spending plan that meets the needs of all North Carolinians

RALEIGH – The NC General Assembly’s budget process has once again shortchanged the people of North Carolina by imposing major policy changes without public input, meaningful debate, or transparency.

The NC Senate revealed its $32.6 billion budget plan less than 48 hours before a vote, packed with significant policy changes crafted behind closed doors that will have a big impact on fairness and justice for all who live in North Carolina.

For example, the Senate’s proposed state budget continues to reward the wealthy with tax cuts, while defunding key programs like the Innocence Inquiry Commission, which has exonerated innocent people convicted of crimes they did not commit.

Common Cause North Carolina advisory board member Robyn Sanders, through her work with the Innocence Project at Duke University School of Law, understands the importance of the Commission.

“I’ve seen what it takes to undo the damage when the system convicts an innocent person,” Sanders said. “The Innocence Inquiry Commission is one of the few state-funded tools in the country designed to confront those failures, and it was established with bipartisan support.”

Common Cause North Carolina is calling for a state budget process that truly considers public input, requires full transparency, and provides more meaningful debate moving forward so that real people won’t continue to be hurt by a broken system where state spending plans are drawn up by a handful of politicians in secret. North Carolina deserves better.

Common Cause NC is a nonpartisan grassroots organization dedicated to upholding the core values of American democracy. We work to create open, honest and accountable government that serves the public interest; promote equal rights, opportunity and representation for all; and empower all people to make their voices heard in the political process.