North Carolina Democrats are demanding an end to the political gamesmanship surrounding the state budget, which has been at a standstill for some time. The budget expansion has been a significant issue in North Carolina, with both the senate and the house pushing for it since March of 2023. However, the Democrats are unhappy with the way the Republicans are handling the budget, particularly their lack of seriousness regarding Medicaid.
According to NC Political News, the Democrats feel that the Republicans are not taking Medicaid expansion seriously and are playing political games with it. MyFox8 also reported on the issue, stating that legislation tying Medicaid expansion to the addition of new casinos in the state has drawn criticism from numerous officials. The bill includes plans for one casino on Lumbee tribal land and three non-tribal casinos, but the specific counties for the non-tribal casinos were not named in the legislation.
The overdue budget has caused turmoil in North Carolina, with both parties feeling the effects. As they near the end of the budget process, tensions have only increased. The News Harolds reported that most Democratic colleagues seem unwilling to provide the necessary votes, further complicating the situation. There have been suspicions of bribing and illegal letters circulating, raising concerns about the integrity of the budget negotiations.
Overall, North Carolina Democrats are calling for an end to the political gamesmanship surrounding the state budget. They believe that the Republicans are not taking important issues like Medicaid expansion seriously and are instead using them as bargaining chips. As the budget process continues, it remains to be seen whether both parties can find a resolution that satisfies everyone involved.