Perdue: tax, spend, and put North Carolina at risk

Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) on Wednesday responded to Gov. Beverly Perdue’s executive order regarding the state’s pre-Kindergarten program.

“Taking a page from Washington’s playbook, the governor is trying to force higher taxes and spend millions the state doesn’t have – putting North Carolina’s AAA bond rating at risk. She should immediately seek clarification from the courts before playing games with the Constitution and sending our state down a fiscally reckless path.”

BACKGROUND

In July, Wake County Superior Court Judge Howard Manning issued an order regarding requirements for the North Carolina pre-kindergarten program outlined in the state budget. Leaders of the General Assembly disagree with members of the executive branch who claim Manning’s ruling mandates every North Carolina 4-year-old have unrestricted access to pre-kindergarten services.

The budget passed by the General Assembly does not cap the number of low-income students eligible for the pre-kindergarten program. In fact, the 20 percent cap Manning cites in his order exists, and has for several years, specifically to ensure at least 80 percent of the children enrolled are financially disadvantaged.

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