Senate Approves Funding for School Choice Programs, Overrides Five of Gov. Cooper's Vetoes
Proposal requires local law enforcement to cooperate with ICE
Includes $159 million for community college, K-12 enrollment increases
Republicans have successfully overridden 25 of Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes this biennium
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Republicans in the North Carolina Senate approved legislation clearing the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ waitlists, requiring North Carolina sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration detainers, and funding various items related to education, health, and infrastructure.
"North Carolina families who applied and qualified for the Opportunity Scholarship and ESA+ programs deserve to receive those scholarships. It's time we fulfill our commitment to these families," Senate Education Committee Chairman Sen. Michael Lee (R-New Hanover) said. "As we expand school choice, North Carolina will continue to have an educational landscape that appeals to all, providing high quality options for those who choose private school, traditional public school, charter school, and home school."
The funding for the Opportunity Scholarship waitlist is retroactive. Eligible families will qualify for a tuition reimbursement from their schools.
"The Biden-Harris open border agenda has caused unrest and fear across the country. ICE is here to help keep our communities safe and we should be working with them on that mission, not obstructing their efforts," Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Sen. Danny Earl Britt, Jr. (R-Robeson) said. "Most of our sheriffs are already taking the necessary steps, but the holdouts need the legislative push and that's exactly what this policy does."
House Bill 10 includes:
$248 million nonrecurring to clear the Opportunity Scholarship waitlist for the current school year
$215.5 million recurring for scholarship awards in the 2025–26 fiscal year
$24.7 million recurring to clear the ESA+ waitlist for children with disabilities
$64 million recurring for Community College enrollment growth
$95 million recurring for K-12 enrollment growth to ensure schools have the necessary operating expenses to support students and teachers
$277 million recurring and $100 million nonrecurring for Medicaid
$55.1 million for infrastructure improvements to support economic development in Chatham County
$150 million for major transportation improvements at the Randolph County megasite
The bill also authorizes a new program to expand high-speed internet in rural communities to ensure every North Carolinian has broadband access. House Bill 10 now heads to the North Carolina House of Representatives for a final vote.
Senate Republicans also overrode five of Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes. All five of the vetoed bills originally passed the legislature with bipartisan support. Three of the bills will become law and two will go to the North Carolina House for a final veto override vote. The bills that have become law include:
H155: Titles for Off-Road Vehicles/Low Speed Vehicles Inspection
H556: Tenancy in Common/E-Notary/Small Claims Changes
H690: No Central Bank Digital Currency Payments to State
The two bills going to the House are:
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