NC lawmakers pass emergency stopgap child care funding
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North Carolina lawmakers passed a proposal to extend child care stabilization grants, just days before existing federal funding was set to expire.
Why it matters: Almost 3 in 10 child care centers throughout North Carolina said they'd be forced to close within six months if state lawmakers didn't step in with financial support, leaving as many as 100,000 children across the state without care.
- Problems with child care are costing North Carolina's economy $5.65 billion annually, according to a recent report released by the NC Chamber. The end of child care stabilization grants may only exacerbate that.
Catch up quick: State lawmakers unveiled budget proposals in recent weeks that would've directed millions to keep child care centers operating for an additional six months beyond the planned June expiration.
- But Republican legislative leaders have been at odds over other measures in this year's spending package, with no resolution in sight and a plan to go home at the end of this week without passing a full budget.
With budget negotiations stalled, the state House rolled out a standalone bill Wednesday to continue funding child care stabilization grants.
- Meanwhile, child care advocates rallied outside the legislative building Wednesday, calling for lawmakers to pass additional funding.
- Several advocates were detained and cuffed with zip ties after police gave them several warnings because of noise complaints, WRAL reported.
The latest: The Senate passed the measure Thursday, funneling $67 million into child care facilities through the end of the year.
- The legislation will now go to the desk of Gov. Roy Cooper, who is likely to sign it.