North Carolina Gov. Stein Vetoes School Choice Bill, Signs Stopgap Budget Amid Medicaid Shortfall

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein vetoed House Bill 87, which would have opted the state into President Donald Trump’s school choice program, expressing concern that it would divert billions in public education funds to wealthy parents already sending their children to private schools. Stein, while supporting some magnet and charter schools, argued that the General Assembly should focus on strengthening public schools rather than providing tax giveaways. In contrast, Stein signed House Bill 125, a stopgap budget measure that includes $600 million for Medicaid, despite warnings from health officials that the funding falls hundreds of millions short and could lead to cuts in services and provider payments. He acknowledged the budget's shortcomings, particularly its failure to adequately invest in teachers, students, and healthcare, but signed it to keep the government operational. Senate Bill 55, focused on protecting property rights, was also signed into law by Stein, who praised its removal of controversial provisions and its emphasis on safeguarding property owners from squatters. Republican leaders, including Senate Leader Phil Berger, criticized Stein’s veto, pledging to override it to enable North Carolina’s participation in the federal school choice initiative.