The North Carolina General Assembly is set to vote on clearing the 55,000 family waitlist for Opportunity Scholarships this week. The program provides financial assistance to families paying for private schools. Last year’s budget opened the program to all North Carolina families on a sliding scale, prioritizing those with the lowest incomes. However, Gov. Roy Cooper and Democratic legislators have criticized the program, calling it a “scheme” and advocating for funds to be directed towards public schools instead.
Despite the opposition, Republican lawmakers are pushing for the funding of Opportunity Scholarships, which would make North Carolina the only state with both universal school choice and a Democratic governor. The bill also includes funding for public schools and community colleges, Medicaid, and rural broadband expansion.
Advocates of the program argue that the high demand for scholarships highlights the need for educational choice, especially in lower-income areas. They believe that expanding the program would create more opportunities for parents to tailor their child’s education to best meet their needs. The North Carolina House is expected to vote on the measure on Wednesday.
Lawmakers like House Speaker Tim Moore emphasize the importance of responsible spending and economic growth in light of rising costs and economic uncertainty. While some oppose the funding of private schools, supporters believe that offering more educational options to families is essential for improving educational outcomes in the state.
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