North Carolina Governor Vetoes Bill on Vouchers

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 10, which would allocate $463.5 million to expand private school vouchers and require sheriffs to cooperate with federal immigration authorities. Cooper criticized the bill for diverting taxpayer funds from public schools to benefit wealthy families, emphasizing that it threatens public education by lacking accountability and failing to improve student performance. The bill's provisions would have cleared a backlog of 55,000 families seeking vouchers, while also including funding for public schools and Medicaid. Republicans, holding veto-proof majorities in the General Assembly, are expected to attempt to override Cooper's veto as they have done with 26 of his previous vetoes this year. Supporters of the bill argue it allows families to choose educational options that suit their needs, while opponents decry the potential harm to public school funding. Cooper and his allies are advocating for investments in public education instead of expanding voucher programs.