North Carolina House passes bill raising unemployment benefits to $450 weekly

The North Carolina House has voted overwhelmingly to increase unemployment benefits from $350 to $450 a week, with the bill set to proceed to the Senate for consideration. Despite broad support, Democrat Rep. Deb Butler opposed the bill, citing concerns over the transfer of power from the governor to the legislature regarding unemployment policy. The bill also includes tax credits for employers, aimed at balancing the increase in benefits. This move follows a decade of reduced benefits implemented by Republicans after the Great Recession, which helped the state eliminate federal debt and build a surplus in its unemployment fund. Additionally, a separate bill is proposing $500 million in aid to support communities affected by Hurricane Helene, though it falls short of the Governor's request for more substantial funding. The GOP's strategy involves passing smaller, targeted aid packages to prevent waste and ensure fiscal prudence.