Without a change of course, long-standing unmet needs may be overlooked in state budget

More than three months into fiscal 2021-22 year, North Carolina is awaiting a state budget. As private negotiations are happening with legislature leaders and Governor Roy Cooper’s administration, long-standing needs are continuing to go unmet, and by the looks of the House and Senate budgets prior to talks, North Carolinians may continue to be forgotten. 

• Gov. Roy Cooper has long advocated for including Medicaid expansion to provide health coverage to low-income working adults, fully funding education and significant teacher pay increases into the state budget.
  
• Yet despite the urgency and push by communities across the state for lawmakers to include meaningful investments within the state budget, both chambers of the Republican-led legislature presented budgets littered with the usual shortcomings as seen for years — no Medicaid expansion, measly pay raises, controversial measures, stingy education funding and heavy on tax cuts for the rich and corporations. 

As budget talks continue, Republican leaders must put their self-interests aside and consider a final budget that is equitable and makes meaningful investments into our communities, economy and our state’s future.

Without following Gov. Roy Cooper’s lead in moving our state forward, inequities will continue to impact all of our communities and deprive us from a North Carolina that works for all.