North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D) declared Monday there is a “state of emergency for public education” in the state.
Cooper said Republican lawmakers will “starve public education” by planning to cut taxes and increase funding for private school vouchers.
The GOP holds a supermajority in both the House and Senate, which sparked Cooper’s desperate cry for help from the public.
The Democrat governor is essentially begging the public to speak out against the budget proposal before its adopted by the state legislature.
“I am declaring this state of emergency because you need to know what’s happening,” Cooper said.
“If you care about public schools in North Carolina, it’s time to take immediate action and tell them to stop the damage that will set back our schools for a generation,” he continued.
“It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education,” Cooper added.
“North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declares a STATE OF EMERGENCY to fight against school choice,” said Educational Freedom Institute Executive Director Corey DeAngelis.
“This hypocrite sent his own kid to a private school. We’re freeing families from the clutches of the teachers unions once and for all & there’s nothing he can do about it,” DeAngelis added.
BREAKING: North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper declares a STATE OF EMERGENCY to fight against school choice.
This hypocrite sent his own kid to a private school.
We're freeing families from the clutches of the teachers unions once and for all & there's nothing he can do about it. pic.twitter.com/m4bbcpiEIx
— Corey A. DeAngelis, school choice evangelist (@DeAngelisCorey) May 22, 2023
Gov Roy Cooper says GOP lawmakers could set back North Carolina public schools for a generation. GOP calls speech a publicity stunt. https://t.co/y8iVDGZgnx
— The News & Observer (@newsobserver) May 22, 2023
The News & Observer reported:
Cooper’s speech comes as Republican legislative leaders are negotiating a state budget deal for the next two years. The GOP has a legislative supermajority, so it can adopt a spending plan and other legislation without needing Cooper’s support.
The governor will hold public events across the state in the days ahead to call on parents, educators and business leaders to speak against the GOP proposals, the Associated Press reported.
FOX 8 added:
The Senate’s budget gives teachers a 4.5% raise over the next two years and plans to cut the personal and corporate income tax rates, making the personal rate 4.5% by 2024, which Cooper cited primarily as a “tax break for millionaires.”
The House had suggested 10.2% raises for teachers in the biennium, and Cooper had pushed for 18% in the budget concept he provided earlier in the spring. Senators cite the $34.8 billion budgeted for education these next two years as a strong investment.
“The Senate has given veteran teachers a $250 raise spread over two years,” Cooper said. “That’s a slap in the face and will make our teacher shortage worse.”
The House soon will reject the Senate’s budget, which will begin a conference process to achieve compromise. Cooper’s veto pen eventually will get another test.
And that window of opportunity is why Cooper is imploring the public to get involved now, while there still could be an impact.
“I’m fighting back, and I need you to, too,” Cooper said. He directed the public to his website, where a banner links to information about the situation and coaches the public on how “you can connect with your state legislators and tell them to support public education.
Watch Gov. Cooper’s full address below:
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