In the recently approved state budget, numerous cuts were made to core public services, which are funded at diminished levels, substantially below pre-recession levels.  These cuts are in addition to the cuts made in the previous budget.  These cuts were made because of diminished state revenue, resulting from tax cuts made to wealthy individuals and large corporations.

Much of the budget relies on one-time funding sources that, once depleted, cannot be replenished with the reduced revenue; some funding for core public investments such as K-12 education is shifted to lottery receipts.

As noted by the Progressive Pulse, here are some highlights within various areas of the final budget of the state of North Carolina for fiscal year 2015.  (The Progressive Pulse is a nonpartisan blog about the issues, debates, and people that affect North Carolina public policy.)