8/9/23 Ardis Watkins

With no state budget expected to be enacted until at least September, leading Republicans say it’s unlikely they’ll move to approve pay raises for state workers and teachers before then. House Speaker Tim Moore said this week there’s “zero” chance of the budget being resolved this month. Ardis Watkins, executive director of the State Employees Association of North Carolina, described the situation as a “gut check” moment for the state. Watkins joined Nate Saunders to discuss the situation on Wednesday.