North Carolina governor declares ‘state of emergency’ over school choice legislation

Cooper announced the state of emergency in a video declaring that the state of public education is "no less important" than other emergencies. "It’s time to declare a State of Emergency for public education in North Carolina. There’s no Executive Order like with a hurricane or the pandemic, but it’s no less important.”

"It’s clear that the Republican legislature is aiming to choke the life out of public education. I’m declaring this state of emergency because you need to know what’s happening. If you care about public schools in North Carolina, it’s time to take immediate action and tell them to stop the damage that will set back our schools for a generation," he added.

Fox News reported that the Democratic governor has been called out for opposing private school vouchers while sending his daughter to private school and for making efforts to shut down the state’s Opportunity Scholarship Program which provides vouchers to lower and middle-income students.

Republican lawmakers in the state had previously announced efforts to proceed with education reform bills that featured school choice including legislation that would provide equal funding to students that attend charter schools in addition to those who attend public school.

In response to Republican efforts, State Rep. Tricia Cotham announced she would be leaving the Democratic Party and joining the GOP due to her support for school choice. "On issues like school choice, like charters, we have to evolve," Cotham said. "One-size-fits-all in education is wrong for children … [Democrats] didn't really want to talk about children. They had talking points from adults and adult organizations."

Cooper claimed in the video, "Put together, these ideas spell disaster that requires emergency action. The North Carolina I know was built on support for public schools, and we can’t let the legislature tear them down. I’m fighting back, and I need you to do it too. Public schools can survive this legislative session if we can limit the damage, but we all need to pull together to do it.”