The move has left hundreds of school systems and food banks reeling. They already face rising food prices and are struggling to help community members with growing food insecurity.
According to EdNC, Gov. Stein talked about his newly released state budget, which would raise teachers’ compensation 10.6% over the next two years, give higher raises for beginning teachers, restore master’s pay, and give smaller raises to administrators and other school staff.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein revealed his state spending plan, launching his first budget battle since taking office. The proposal includes more money for schools, Hurricane Helene recovery, and targeted tax cuts for working families.
The theme of Stein’s speech was “North Carolina Strong,” a motto the newly elected governor has used to rally North Carolinians who are in the midst of a hurricane rebuild, rising costs, and deep federal funding cuts. He recognized several honored guests from across the state, leaders in fields such as education and law enforcement that Stein believes have embodied his view of “North Carolina Strong.”
“Losing this support is devastating, not merely because of the financial setback, but because it directly affects an essential lifeline connecting agriculture, regional economic well-being, and the health of WNC families,” Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank, told Asheville Citizen-Times.
Concerned about the devastating impact of the Trump administration’s goal to eliminate the US Department of Education, North Carolina educators and parents recently delivered letters to Senator Thom Tillis, urging him to oppose efforts to dismantle the department. Despite the opposition from his constituents, Sen. Tillis ignored these concerns and voted to confirm McMahon, alongside every other Senate Republican who cast a vote.
Parents, educators, and education advocates are sounding alarms about the Trump administration’s proposal to eliminate the U.S. Department of Education (USDOE). Across the state, parents and teachers have expressed concern over the plan to erase funding from the millions of students who depend on federal education funding.
On Wednesday, North Carolina teachers and parents delivered letters to Senator Thom Tillis’ office, urging the senator to vote to keep the crucial department up and running.
While she has essentially no useful experience in public education, McMahon has lots of experience with both being and handling wealthy political donors, and her actual stances regarding education reflect that. In the name of “school choice”, McMahon favors redirecting public funding to private and charter schools that get to pick and choose exactly what kind of students they accept, unlike public schools which provide for all.
McMahon is also a loyal MAGA Republican and has supported Trump’s pledge to dismantle the Department of Education.
“We have so many special education students in Wake County that if you pull them out, they would be the 14th largest school district in the state,” Chris Heagarty, Wake County School Board Chairman, told ABC 11. “Tell me in what world we live in where taking money away from kids like them is a good idea.”
The freeze would result in North Carolina losing billions of dollars in funding for disaster relief, public schools, and state agencies. Though the order was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, Rep. Deborah Ross explained that it has left state and federal officials confused on how to proceed. She remains hopeful that it will not be allowed to pass but expressed the importance of understanding what is at risk.