NC GOP poised to fully fund state's voucher program
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With less than 60 days until Election Day, North Carolina Republicans are making a final push to accomplish some key legislative priorities this week.
Context: Republican lawmakers announced last week that, after a monthslong stalemate, they had worked out a deal to pass legislation that includes two of the GOP's biggest priorities this year, including fully funding the state's "Opportunity Scholarship" program.
Why it matters: Should the legislation become law, it will unlock funding for more than 53,000 students of all income levels who were on a waitlist for state-funded vouchers to pay for private schools in the 2024-25 school year.
- It would also decrease public school funding by nearly $100 million, according to a recent Office of State Budget and Management analysis.
Driving the news: The state Senate passed the legislation, which additionally makes changes to this year's state budget, along party lines Monday afternoon.
- The bill would also mandate that state sheriffs comply with Immigrations and Customs Enforcement detainment requirements for immigrants charged with violent crimes.
Between the lines: Passing the legislation this week will all but ensure that the measures become law before year-end. Republicans hope to retain their legislative supermajorities, which afford them the votes to override a governor's veto, in the November election.
- The move could also help the party shore up the support of the state's conservative voters and donors, as the presidential, gubernatorial and key legislative races are all highly competitive.
Flashback: The Republican-led legislature expanded the state's Opportunity Scholarships program in 2023, making families of all income levels eligible for state-funded vouchers on a sliding scale. More than 72,000 families applied for private school vouchers this year, but only a small portion of applicants in the lowest income levels received them.
- GOP legislative leaders were eyeing a plan to let everyone on the waitlist receive vouchers but were deadlocked this summer over competing state spending priorities.
- With no resolution in sight, lawmakers went home but left open the possibility of returning later in the year to work out a deal.
What's next: The House is expected to send the legislation to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's desk Wednesday, with Cooper's veto all but certain.