North Carolina Republican lawmakers, who lead both chambers of the General Assembly, have released a long-awaited state spending bill with hopes of voting on it this week.

Why it matters: The state has gone more than a year without a budget, as the N.C. House and N.C. Senate remained at odds over priorities, leaving items like raises for teachers and state employees in limbo.

Driving the news: The budget bill, which is more than 600 pages long, was released yesterday morning. It is the result of months of negotiations between outgoing state Sen. leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall.

• Hall said in a statement that the budget "delivers historic raises, keeps taxes low, strengthens public safety, and protects taxpayer dollars by making targeted investments to crack down on waste, fraud, and abuse."
• "This is a responsible spending plan that takes aim at bureaucratic bloat without endangering core services," Berger added.

Zoom in: The budget includes a provision, introduced by Sen. Vickie Sawyer, that would require Charlotte and other local governments to repay an estimated $60-plus million spent on the canceled I-77 South toll lanes — unless they decide to support the project again.

Top of the line spending agreements

💼 See who's hiring around the city.

1. Accounting & Finance Coordinator at Laura Park Designs.
2. Facilities Technician at Trinity Presbyterian Church.
3. Account Manager, Client Success at Axios.

Want more opportunities? Check out our Job Board.

Hiring? Post a job.

Mecklenburg County's new 1% sales tax for transportation takes effect today.

Why it matters: Shoppers will pay slightly more for clothes, furniture, electronics and other purchases. The revenue is expected to generate nearly $20 billion over 30 years for major regional transportation projects, such as the Red Line.

By the numbers: The tax hike, approved by voters in November 2025, increases the combined state and local sales and use tax rates from 7.25% to 8.25%.

• Expect to pay $1.65 for a $20 purchase or $8.25 for a $100 purchase, up from $1.45 and $7.25, respectively.
• The average household could spend an extra $20 per month, or $240 annually, according to the City of Charlotte's estimates.
• The sales tax rate includes a 4.75% statewide tax, a 2% countywide sales tax, a 0.50% transit tax originally approved in 1998 and the additional 1% for transit approved last year.

Caveat: The new tax does not apply to some purchases subject to a specific tax rate, such as certain grocery items (2%), electricity (7%) and liquor other than mixed drinks (7%).

• North Carolina lawmakers are considering a bill to exempt sales taxes on diapers, baby wipes, tampons and other feminine hygiene products. It's called the "Tax-Free Family Essentials Act."

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We're tracking several highly anticipated restaurants and bars opening later this month in Charlotte, including:

🧇 No Knife Chicken & Waffles, a new brunch restaurant from rapper DaBaby, is coming to north Charlotte.

The vibe: The restaurant will have a fast-casual concept with an upscale diner feel. The menu is still being developed by DaBaby, but it will include chicken and waffles. Inside, there will be booth and bar seating and eventually a patio space.

☕️ Sweet July Cafe, a cafe from Ayesha Curry, is expected to open in Uptown.

The vibe: The cafe will serve coffee, baked goods, smoothies and more inside The Ritz-Carlton.

🍷 Songbirds, a wine bar catering to independent artists and music lovers, will open in University City.

The vibe: A former "American Idol" contestant is opening this spot to offer a space for early career artists to perform. Expect DJs, live music and a selection of wines from Black-owned brands in the evening. By day, you'll find coffee and pastries.

Full list

🃏 Jane Manfredi, owner Good Postage at Camp North End, will open a game shop at Camp North End later this summer, per a release. Good Game, an 818-square-foot space in the Keswick section, will sell board games, card games, trading cards and game accessories. The shop will also host events.

🚮 City of Charlotte Solid Waste Services will collect trash, recycling and yard waste as scheduled on Friday, July 3, per a release.

John Connaughton, the director of UNC Charlotte's North Carolina Economic Forecast and its longest-serving faculty member, died June 24. He was 78. (BusinessNC)

💘 Charlotte realtor Jessica Grace Booker will appear on the upcoming season of Netflix's reality show "The Ultimatum." (Instagram)

📅 See what's going on around the city.

• July 4th $4 Flash Sale at Nothing New Sat: Shop hundreds of vintage and secondhand gems priced at just $4 this weekend only. Hosted by Nothing New boasting the largest curated selection of vintage clothing in the Southeast. While Supplies last.
• Your Mouth Our Problem with Shameless Improv at Sip City Bottle Shop Jul 7: At the top of the show the audience is asked to share a real, chaotic story, maybe a gossip, a wild confession, then take that unhinged chaos and use it as the inspiration for an improvised play. $10.

Want more things to do? Check out our Event Board.

Hosting? Purchase an Event Listing.

Charlotte isn't taking the summer off.

🎆 July 3 & 4: Fourth of July Celebration at the Whitewater Center. | Starts 9:30am Friday | Free | Details

🎇 July 4: Charlotte's Stars and Stripes Spectacular with Charlotte Symphony Orchestra at Truist Field. | 8pm | $25+ | Details

🏉 July 11: USA Rugby vs Zimbabwe Rugby at American Legion Memorial Stadium. | 7:30pm | $25+ | Details

🍔 July 24-Aug. 2: Queen's Feast: Charlotte Restaurant Week (Summer Edition) at participating restaurants. | Times, locations and prices vary | Details

⚽️ July 29: MLS All-Star Game 2026 (MLS vs. Liga MX) at Bank of America Stadium. | 8pm | $60 | Details

More fun things to do this month

Charlotte has a stacked concert lineup this month including shows from:

🎤 July 10 & 11: J. Cole | Spectrum Center | 8pm | $95+

🎸 July 11: AC/DC | Bank of America Stadium | 7:30pm | $88.05+

🎤 July 12: NE-YO & Akon | Truliant Amphitheater | 8pm | $28+

🎙️ July 17 & 18: Usher & Chris Brown | Bank of America Stadium | 7pm | $150+

Full guide