North Carolina lawmakers are set to try again to pass a state budget after a year-long standoff over key spending priorities. The House Speaker, Destin Hall, stated that the Senate has been unwilling to compromise on their stance on tax policy. He also mentioned state employee raises, property tax reforms, and public safety as key priorities in the upcoming session. While a compromise has been elusive, he remains hopeful about an agreement. Hall also accused Gov. Josh Stein's administration of not doing enough to control Medicaid spending and possible fraud, an accusation that Stein denies. Both parties want to continue reducing income taxes at a rate consistent with the current pace.