Berger: Manning’s decision, not budget, is off balance

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) on Monday responded to Judge Howard Manning’s decision regarding the North Carolina education budget and the state’s prekindergarten program.

 

The prekindergarten program, formerly known as More at Four, caps at 20 percent the number of students deemed at-risk for reasons other than financial hardship – for example, children of active-duty military families, who have limited English proficiency, an identified disability, chronic health condition, or developmental or education need.

 

“We disagree with Judge Manning’s interpretation, and we are confident his opinion does not throw the state budget out of balance,” Berger said. “The budget does not cap the number of low-income students eligible for the program. In fact, the 20 percent cap exists, and has for several years, specifically to ensure at least 80 percent of the children enrolled are financially disadvantaged.”

 

There are numerous questions surrounding Manning’s decision that need to be clarified. The General Assembly’s fiscal research staff is continuing to study the issue.

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