Republican North Carolina Senate Leader Phil Berger is frustrated with Gov. Josh Stein, a Democrat, after he vetoed a bill expanding the state’s school choice program.
Stein vetoed the Educational Choice for Children Act (HB 87), arguing it would divert billions in public education funding to benefit wealthy families who already have access to private schools for their children.
Berger criticized Stein’s decision, saying in a press release the Governor was undermining school choice.
“Either you support school choice, or you don’t,” Berger said. “Gov. Stein could have made North Carolina a leader in school choice and parental freedom by signing the Educational Choice for Children Act, but instead, he’s attempting to usurp the General Assembly’s authority to set tax policy.”
Berger said North Carolina’s Republican-controlled Legislature will vote to overturn Stein’s veto, something GOP lawmakers in the state recently accomplished when they overturned eight of Stein’s 14 vetoed bills in late July.
“I look forward to holding Gov. Stein accountable and overriding his veto to ensure North Carolina can participate in President (Donald) Trump’s signature school choice initiative,” Berger said.
In his veto comments, Stein said school choice is “good for students and parents, and I have long supported magnet and accountable charter schools because public schools open doors of opportunity for kids in every county of the state.”
“Congress and the Administration should strengthen our public schools, not hollow them out. Cutting public education funding by billions of dollars while providing billions in tax giveaways to wealthy parents already sending their kids to private schools is the wrong choice,” Stein continued.
Stein did say he sees opportunities for the federal scholarship donation tax credit program that would benefit public school students, part of the Trump administration’s school choice priorities.
“Once the federal government issues sound guidance, I intend to opt North Carolina in so we can invest in the public-school students most in need of after-school programs, tutoring, and other resources. Therefore, HB 87 is unnecessary, and I veto it,” Stein said.
