NC Family Staff | September 9, 2024 | SHARE: 
UPDATE: On Friday, September 20, N.C. Governor Roy Cooper vetoed HB10.
UPDATE: On Wednesday afternoon, September 11, the North Carolina House approved HB 10 by a vote of 67-43. The bill now proceeds to Governor Roy Cooper for consideration.
Earlier this afternoon, the North Carolina Senate approved a bill that will, among other things, provide additional funding for Opportunity Scholarships in North Carolina. The measure was part of HB 10—Require ICE Cooperation & Budget Adjustments, which passed the State Senate on a party-line vote of 27-17.
As you may recall, the N.C. General Assembly made Opportunity Scholarships universally available to all families in North Carolina in 2023 and increased funding, but state lawmakers did not anticipate the overwhelming demand for the voucher program. As a result, approximately 55,000 Opportunity Scholarship applicants were placed on a waiting list pending approval of additional funding by the State Legislature. HB 10 provides an additional $248 million for Opportunity Scholarships in the current school year and increases funding substantially in future years. HB 10 also provides expanded funding for educational scholarships for children with disabilities.
Since the school year has already started, it is uncertain how many students on the waiting list will be able to take advantage of Opportunity Scholarships this year, but NC Family is extremely grateful for the legislature’s action to provide educational choice to more families in North Carolina.
The North Carolina House is expected to consider passage of HB 10 on Wednesday.
