Current:Home > Contact-usNorth Carolina GOP leaders reach spending deal to clear private school voucher waitlist-LoTradeCoin
North Carolina GOP leaders reach spending deal to clear private school voucher waitlist
View Date:2024-12-23 20:40:20
RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina’s Republican House and Senate leaders said Friday that they’ve agreed with each other on a supplemental spending proposal that includes hundreds of millions of dollars to eliminate the state’s waitlist for private school vouchers.
The new proposal includes funding for Medicaid, broadband access and the implementation of a law that forces sheriffs to comply with federal immigration agents. Both chambers are scheduled to reconvene next week for a vote that will likely send the bill to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, whose expected veto can be overridden by the legislature’s GOP supermajorities.
The proposal sets aside an additional $463 million to clear the state’s Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist, which experienced a surge in applications after the General Assembly eliminated income caps to qualify last year. Not enough money was initially earmarked to cover everyone, leaving about 55,000 children on the waitlist and many parents frustrated.
Lawmakers had failed to agree on a budget adjustment deal that included voucher funding before the legislative session ended in June.
The new proposal could enable waitlisted families to get retroactively reimbursed for spending on private schooling this fall, and lays out more spending to match demand through the early 2030s. About $25 million in recurring funds will go to providing private school scholarships to children with disabilities.
Senate leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore issued statements describing the Opportunity Scholarship funding as an accomplishment that gives parents “a greater say in their child’s education.”
Cooper and Democratic legislators are strongly opposed, arguing that the scholarships redirect taxpayer funds from traditional public schools to private schools that lack strong academic accountability.
The GOP proposal includes about $160 million to address enrollment growth in K-12 public schools and community colleges. But Cooper pointed out Thursday that weakening state revenues during past fiscal year — a projected $413 million surplus ultimately dwindled to a $30 million shortfall — will harm public school funding if the scholarships keep growing.
“Private school vouchers will cause a budget crisis,” Cooper said. “I know these Republican legislators representing rural counties — I know they are smart enough to know that this is not good for their constituents.”
The spending proposal also includes $377 million more for Medicaid and a new program to further improve broadband in rural counties.
The session close left another bill shepherded by House leadership in limbo. Now that legislation — focused on enforcing compliance with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement — has been folded into the new proposal.
The bill requires that North Carolina sheriffs comply with ICE requests — known as detainers — by temporarily holding inmates charged with serious crimes if they are believed to be in the country illegally. Federal immigration agents would then come pick up the accused. Sheriffs or other law enforcement officials are already asked to check an inmate’s legal status if they are charged with serious crimes, according to state law.
The provision contains most of its original content but removes an amendment that would allow anyone to file a grievance with the state Attorney’s General Office if they believe a jail administrator isn’t following the law.
——
Associated Press writer Gary D. Robertson contributed to this report.
veryGood! (2313)
Related
- Is Kyle Richards Finally Ready to File for Divorce From Mauricio Umansky? She Says...
- Court rules Florida’s “stop woke” law restricting business diversity training is unconstitutional
- EAGLEEYE COIN: Prospects for the Application of Blockchain Technology in the Field of Internet of Things
- Jason Kelce officially hangs 'em up: Eagles All-Pro center retires after 13 seasons in NFL
- Ranked voting will decide a pivotal congressional race. How does that work?
- 5 die in fiery small plane crash off Nashville interstate
- San Francisco votes on measures to compel drug treatment and give police surveillance cameras
- Alabama man jailed in 'the freezer' died of homicide due to hypothermia, records show
- 'This dude is cool': 'Cross' star Aldis Hodge brings realism to literary detective
- California man is first in the US to be charged with smuggling greenhouse gases, prosecutors say
Ranking
- California voters reject proposed ban on forced prison labor in any form
- Former Twitter executives sue Elon Musk over firings, seek more than $128 million in severance
- California voters will set matchups for key US House races on Super Tuesday
- 'The Voice': John Legend is ‘really disappointed’ after past contestant chooses Dan + Shay
- Forget the bathroom. When renovating a home, a good roof is a no-brainer, experts say.
- Slumping New Jersey Devils fire coach Lindy Ruff, promote Travis Green
- For Women’s History Month, a look at some trailblazers in American horticulture
- How to Care for Bleached & Color-Treated Hair, According to a Professional Hair Colorist
Recommendation
-
Atlanta man dies in shootout after police chase that also kills police dog
-
Top Israeli cabinet official meets with U.S. leaders in Washington despite Netanyahu's opposition
-
'$6.6 billion deal': Arkhouse and Brigade increase buyout bid for Macy's
-
Hurt by inflation, Americans yearn for pensions in retirement. One answer may be annuities
-
Nicole Scherzinger receives support from 'The View' hosts after election post controversy
-
A combination Applebee’s-IHOP? Parent company wants to bring dual-brand restaurants to the US
-
Mark Harmon's 'NCIS' standout Gibbs is recast with younger actor for 'Origins.' Who is it?
-
'The Harlem Renaissance' and what is Black art for?