North Carolina Senate Approves Private School Vouchers

The North Carolina Senate voted to override five vetoes from Governor Roy Cooper, passing a significant funding bill that allocates $463 million for private school vouchers, enabling families on a waiting list to receive scholarships ranging from $3,360 to $7,468 per child. The measure passed with a 27-17 vote, strictly along party lines, as Republican lawmakers defended the funding as a fulfillment of a commitment to families, while Democrats criticized it for diverting resources from public schools. The bill also mandates local sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration officials, further intensifying partisan tensions. With around 55,000 students currently on a waitlist, the funding aims to address the backlog created after the removal of income caps on voucher eligibility. Governor Cooper is expected to veto the bill, prompting a likely override vote in the legislature. The House is scheduled to vote on the measure soon, following the Senate's approval.