A new bill filed by State Rep. Phil Rubin in the North Carolina House seeks to expand income tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program at community colleges, according to the North Carolina State House.
The bill, filed as HB 668 on April 1 during the 2025 regular session, was formally listed with the short title: ‘NC Working Families Economic Relief Act.’
The following is our breakdown, based on the actual bill text, and may include interpretation to clarify its provisions.
In essence, this bill establishes a grant program at North Carolina community colleges to expand income tax assistance through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program. It appropriates $1.38 million in nonrecurring funds and $610,000 in recurring funds for the 2025-26 fiscal year for curriculum development, faculty bonuses, personnel for VITA, and student work-based learning opportunities. Additionally, $50,000 in nonrecurring funds and $100,000 in recurring funds will be allocated for training and technical assistance. The bill also allocates $840,000 to the United Way of North Carolina to expand the VITA program, adding locations, personnel, and multilingual materials to aid with community outreach and financial education. This act is effective July 1, 2025.
Of the four sponsors of this bill, Vernetta Alston proposed the most bills (18) during the 2025 regular session.
Bills in North Carolina follow a multi-step process before becoming law. A lawmaker starts by filing a bill, which is assigned to a committee for review. The bill must be read three times in each chamber. If one chamber changes the bill after the other passes it, both must agree on the final version. Once both chambers approve the same bill, it goes to the governor, who has 10 days (or 30 if the legislature is not in session) to sign, veto, or let it become law without a signature.
You can read more about the bills and other measures here.
Rubin graduated from Duke University School of Law with a JD.
Rubin, a Democrat, was elected to the North Carolina State House in 2025 to represent the state’s 40th House district, replacing previous state representative Joe John.
| Authors | Bill Number | Date Filed | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phil Rubin, Brian Turner, Sarah Crawford, and Vernetta Alston | HB 668 | 04/01/2025 | NC Working Families Economic Relief Act. |
| Phil Rubin, Abe Jones, Beth Helfrich, and Tracy Clark | HB 643 | 04/01/2025 | Clarify Firearm Storage Law. |
| Phil Rubin, Allen Buansi, Allison A. Dahle, and Amber M. Baker | HB 580 | 03/31/2025 | SBOE Legislative Changes.-AB |
| Phil Rubin, Jordan Lopez, Marcia Morey, and Tracy Clark | HB 583 | 03/31/2025 | Law Enforcement/Destroy Certain Firearms. |
| Phil Rubin, Brandon Lofton, Cynthia Ball, and Rodney D. Pierce | HB 608 | 03/31/2025 | Protect Health and Gov’t Personnel Info. |
| Phil Rubin, Jordan Lopez, Pricey Harrison, and Tracy Clark | HB 545 | 03/26/2025 | Ban Ghost Guns & Undetectable Firearms. |
| Phil Rubin, Bryan Cohn, James Roberson, and Kanika Brown | HB 548 | 03/26/2025 | NC Economic Progress and Well-Being. |
| Phil Rubin, Jordan Lopez, Pricey Harrison, and Tracy Clark | HB 350 | 03/10/2025 | Report Lost/Stolen Firearm Within 24 Hours. |
| Phil Rubin, Matthew Winslow, Mike Schietzelt, and Robert T. Reives, II | HB 360 | 03/10/2025 | Homeowner Protection Act. |
| Phil Rubin, Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, and Mary Belk | HB 174 | 02/21/2025 | Marriage Equality Act. |
| Phil Rubin, Deb Butler, Jordan Lopez, and Mary Belk | HB 175 | 02/21/2025 | Const. Amend./Marriage Equality. |
| Phil Rubin, Abe Jones, Marcia Morey, and Tim Longest | HB 129 | 02/13/2025 | Judge Joe John Nonpartisan Jud. Elections Act. |
