The North Carolina General Assembly returns to Raleigh today to address critical issues, including school choice, immigration, and hurricane relief. As Gov. Roy Cooper nears the end of his tenure, his already contentious relationship with Republican legislative leaders has grown increasingly strained. Rather than fostering collaboration, Cooper continues to complicate matters, issuing misleading statements to the public and press that present false policy choices and misrepresent the General Assembly’s priorities. His rhetoric undermines constructive dialogue and spreads confusion about the state’s fiscal capabilities and strategic planning.
Gov. Cooper’s recent call to reallocate Opportunity Scholarship Program funds for hurricane relief comes across as a short-sighted and misguided maneuver, especially considering the program’s design. Now universalized on a means-preferenced basis, the scholarships ensure that lower-income families are prioritized, with larger awards for students most in need. Diverting these funds would impact families seeking educational options, denying them access to better opportunities. While Cooper’s proposal makes a great 30-second sound bite, it fails to consider the broader fiscal landscape of North Carolina’s budgetary planning and capabilities.
Cooper’s proposal to divert Opportunity Scholarship Program funds for hurricane relief presents a false choice, suggesting North Carolina must choose between aiding disaster recovery and maintaining its commitment to educational opportunities for families. This is a misleading dichotomy. With billions in designated reserves, according to the October General Fund Report from the state controller, the state has ample resources to address natural disasters without sacrificing vital programs. By framing his argument this way, Cooper overlooks that North Carolina’s fiscal planning allows for effective disaster response and continued support for educational initiatives. In reality, the state can — and should — do both, making his framing unnecessary and disingenuous.
North Carolina is well prepared to handle emergencies, with the state’s savings reserve, known as the “Rainy Day Fund,” and other disaster-specific reserves totaling over $5 billion. These funds are specifically intended for crises like hurricane recovery and can be allocated as needed without impacting essential budgetary commitments, such as education. Cooper’s proposal to take money from a program funded through the General Fund — part of the regular state budget — reveals a troubling misunderstanding of fiscal strategy and the purpose of budget reserves. This misalignment becomes even more alarming when juxtaposed with recent revelations about the state’s financial oversight failures.
Cooper’s fiscal record has faced sharp criticism from the Cato Institute, which awarded him a dismal “D” grade in its Fiscal Policy Report Card. The report highlights Cooper’s consistent advocacy for higher spending and tax hikes, including his veto of tax reforms that would have provided significant relief to North Carolina families and businesses. Moreover, Cooper has repeatedly pushed for expanded government programs without corresponding revenue sources, contributing to concerns over fiscal sustainability. This assessment underscores the governor’s questionable fiscal bona fides, painting a picture of a leader more inclined toward expanding government expenditure than safeguarding taxpayers’ money.
Adding to the concern, the same day Cooper criticized legislative leaders, his administration admitted to a lack of oversight and financial mismanagement within the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency (NCORR), which led to a $221 million deficit. Given this, the legislature’s approach of funding disaster recovery in stages appears wise. Trusting Cooper’s administration with a massive, unchecked sum of $3.9 billion, especially in light of these management failures, would be irresponsible. Given these management deficiencies, the General Assembly’s cautious approach gains even more relevance and merit.
The General Assembly’s strategy of releasing disaster funds in smaller, manageable increments ensures better oversight and accountability. This method not only guards against potential waste but also responds to Cooper’s administration’s demonstrated inability to manage large sums efficiently. By funding recovery efforts in chunks, lawmakers act in taxpayers’ best interest and ensure that resources are used effectively to aid those in need. Far from being indifferent to disaster relief, the legislature’s strategy reflects a responsible allocation of resources grounded in past experience.
Contrary to Cooper’s claims, the General Assembly has a long history of funding disaster relief generously and consistently. The legislature’s approach does not reflect a lack of concern but rather a commitment to fiscal responsibility. With ample reserves in place, legislators have demonstrated that they are prepared to assist swiftly and efficiently when emergencies arise, without sacrificing critical programs like the Opportunity Scholarship initiative.
Ultimately, Cooper’s criticism of legislative leaders appears to be more about political posturing than addressing genuine needs. North Carolina has the resources to tackle emergencies and has shown the foresight to set aside funds for such occasions. The real issue lies in the Cooper administration’s governance failures, making the legislature’s prudent and measured approach not only justified but imperative.
Hurricane Helene devastated communities in western North Carolina, and through no fault of their own, those people need help. At the same time, thousands of North Carolina families are dissatisfied with the quality of education or educational environment for their children in North Carolina public schools, and they want the freedom to choose. Thirteen years of good fiscal governance have blessed North Carolina lawmakers with the ability to help everyone mentioned. Now is not the time for a lame-duck governor to manufacture a crisis over false choices.
