On Sunday, The Fayetteville Observer published an op-ed by North Carolina State Highway Patrol Colonel Freddy Johnson Jr. highlighting how the newly signed state budget strengthens North Carolina’s public safety workforce and helps ensure the state can recruit, retain, and equip the troopers and officers who keep North Carolinians safe.
Last month, Governor Stein signed into law North Carolina’s first full state budget in more than two years, providing historic salary increases for state public safety officers, including a 15% pay raise for State Highway Patrol officers. The budget also includes a 16.2% pay raise for State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) and Alcohol Law Enforcement (ALE) officers, a 13% pay raise for correctional officers, and a 6.5% pay raise for probation and parole officers. It also sets aside nearly $40 million to provide sworn local law enforcement officers with a one-time $1,750 bonus.
Governor Stein and Colonel Johnson also recognize that this state budget is not “the be-all and end-all” but a significant step forward in strengthening North Carolina’s public safety workforce. The budget’s investments in pay, facilities, and infrastructure will help the State Highway Patrol protect the state’s 80,000 miles of roads, recruit and retain highly trained professionals, and ensure troopers have the tools they need to protect North Carolinians today and “take on the challenges of tomorrow.” As he writes, “When it comes to compensation, we should aspire to be among our nation’s leaders, not its laggards,” and this state budget helps move North Carolina up that ranks.