GREENSBORO, N.C. — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper wants to borrow twice as much as state House Republicans do in a construction bond referendum that's part of his two-year budget.
Cooper unveiled parts of his spending proposal on Tuesday in Greensboro. The $3.9 billion debt package would include $2 billion for public schools and $500 million each for the community college and University of North Carolina systems. Other proceeds would benefit water systems, the North Carolina Zoo and Museum of History.
House Republicans back a $1.9 billion education bond referendum that cleared a committee Tuesday.
Cooper says his budget also will include average teacher pay raises of over 9 percent in two years. He wants $40 million for school police officers, nurses and other health providers.
Cooper's full budget comes out Wednesday.