Democrats have filed bills in the state legislature to uplift families and provide support for children in the state amid GOP attacks on school programs and funding. In recent years, North Carolina has seen over a hundred daycares close due to lack of funding.
Democratic Senators Jay Chaudhuri and Sophia Chitlik have put forward two pieces of legislation that would appropriate funds to help organizations expand their childcare capacity. Senate Bill 592, the Statewide Child Care Investment Act, would provide grants to be awarded to counties and organizations that contribute to childcare initiatives. The funds could be used for construction, renovation, furnishing, and even playground installation. Senate Bill 593 also provides grants for childcare needs. This bill gives grants specific to childcare providers who are working with the state to provide services.
We’re also seeing support for childcare in the state House, with Representatives Lindsey Prather, Dante Pittman, Rodney Pierce, and Monika Johnson-Hostler filing House Bill 507, The Children First Act. The bill seeks to prioritize “the well-being of children by expanding access to affordable, high-quality child care for North Carolina families”. Similar to the Senate bills, this legislation calls for increased support for childcare facilities. However, the The Children FIrst Act does not stop at childcare. The bill also seeks to establish a childcare innovation task force, enhance child health and safety protections, and address infant and fetal mortality prevention.
These bills call for the funding and support of institutions that are responsible for the care and growth of the children of our state. These bills come at a time when Republicans on both the state and federal levels are attacking resources for our youth.
President Trump, who campaigned on the idea of closing the Department of Education, was successful in securing his choice for the head of the United States Department of Education, Linda McMahon. McMahon, with very little experience in education, spent time during her confirmation hearing explaining her plans to significantly diminish the department she will lead. Already in her time in the role, she has cut the department’s staff nearly in half, with the department’s civil rights offices taking a big hit.
The closing of the Department of Education is an unpopular idea here in North Carolina, with 63% of North Carolinians opposing the idea, according to a recent poll from Meredith College. Teachers and parents in the state recently sent a letter to North Carolina Senator Thom Tillis to defend the Department of Education.
Superintendent of Public Instruction Mo Green said that the Department of Education plays a major role in the lives of the children in our state. Federal funds make up 11% of the state’s budget, totalling out to well over a billion dollars. These funds go towards paying and training teachers, special education programs, and other resources to support students. “There are kids who come with absolutely nothing – and some that come with absolutely everything. And we endeavor to say no matter where you are, we will provide the very best education possible,” Green said.
McMahon also recently announced she will be withholding funding from schools that have Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs in place, furthering the administration’s plan to silence discussions on race and sex in K -12 and higher education. State republicans have followed that lead, claiming that DEI is a “divisive” concept and working to have it banned not only in schools but in state agencies as well.
Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch criticized the measure, arguing there are other more pressing issues that lawmakers could be tackling to support the students of North Carolina. “We have schools across North Carolina that are struggling with regards to air conditioning not working – their heat not being turned on,” Batch said. “We have children in Fayetteville that are still drinking bottled water because of PFAS. And yet, we want to go ahead with the education chairs, with all of the challenges that we have in North Carolina, facing a bill on DEI – rather than the challenges that will actually address public school kids across the state.”
The filing of these bills shows state Democrats’ dedication to uplifting North Carolina children, providing much-needed support for families at a time when resources and programs for children are under attack.
