Category: Press Releases

Raleigh, NC – North Carolina House has approved HB 10 in a bipartisan vote of 67-43.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore said, “A responsible state budget is critical to helping North Carolina families weather these tough economic times brought on by the failed policies of the Biden-Harris administration. The legislation passed today prioritizes quality education, public safety, healthcare, and broadband access.

He continued, “The mini budget strengthens our commitment to school choice for all NC families as well as public education, with historic investments in enrollment growth for both K-12 public schools and our community colleges. Furthermore, thanks to language requiring sheriffs to cooperate with ICE, North Carolina will also be better equipped to weather the Biden-Harris illegal immigration crisis at our southern border and protect our communities. These priorities ensure North Carolina families are empowered to thrive and build a brighter future for themselves and our state.”

Rep. Tricia Cotham said, “Today’s passage of HB10, which clears the waitlist of nearly 55,000 families who have applied for Opportunity Scholarships, marks a significant victory for families and students across North Carolina. By empowering students and parents to choose what type of education bet fits their needs, regardless of zip code or income, the Opportunity Scholarship Program puts kids and their futures first. As North Carolina continues to expand education options for families, we are ensuring that every child has the chance to thrive. This is a win for students, parents, and the future of North Carolina!”

Rep. Cotham has been a tireless advocate for school choice and sponsored legislation to expand Opportunity Scholarship eligibility to all NC families.

Today, North Carolina Representative John Faircloth submitted a letter of resignation from the House of Representatives, effective Friday, September 6^th, 2024, at 5:00 PM.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said:

“It has been an absolute honor to serve alongside Representative John Faircloth in the North Carolina House of Representatives. His dedication to our state and unwavering commitment to his constituents in Guilford County have set a high standard for public service. He has fought to protect and improve a free-market economy from excessive government control and public safety and education in North Carolina. While we will deeply miss his wisdom and experience in the legislature, I wish him all the best in this well-deserved retirement. His legacy will undoubtedly continue to inspire future generations of leaders.”

North Carolina House Rules Chairman Destin Hall said:

“Rep. John Faircloth has a prestigious record of public service as Chief of Police, on the City Council, and as member of the NC House of Representatives. He has been a pillar of strength and integrity in the North Carolina House of Representatives. Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to advance the interests of his constituents and our communities, always putting the people first. His retirement marks the end of an era, but his contributions to his community, public safety, and fiscal responsibility in North Carolina will be felt for years to come. I extend my heartfelt congratulations to him and wish him a peaceful and fulfilling retirement.”

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Today, North Carolina House leaders filed an amicus brief in support of ballot access for the Justice for All Party.

North Carolina House leaders argue that when determining which third parties will be on the ballot in the upcoming election, the NC State Board of Elections treated the Justice for All Party unfairly, betraying the partisan intent of the boards’ Democratic majority.

The amicus brief can be viewed in its entirety here.

The North Carolina House budget includes investments in teacher and state employee raises, childcare funding, and it fully funds Opportunity Scholarships. The House budget is now available to view online.

Highlights include:

• Starting teacher salary raised to $44,000
• Restoration of master’s pay for teachers
• 2% additional COLA bonus for State retirees
• Additional 9% raise for correctional officers
• Full funding for Opportunity Scholarships
• Childcare funding stopgap: $135 million for childcare stabilization grants

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said,

“The House budget fully funds Opportunity Scholarships for the thousands of North Carolina families who have applied to the scholarship program. Parents must be empowered to make the best education choices for their families regardless of income status, but school choice is not a zero-sum game. Therefore, the House budget also raises starting teacher pay to $44,000 and restores masters pay for teachers, ensuring every public school classroom has a qualified teacher who is compensated like the professional that he or she is.”

North Carolina House Budget Chair Rep. Jeffrey Elmore said,

“As millions of Americans struggle to make their income stretch in Biden’s economy, and our state employees and retirees are not immune to the reality of Joe Biden’s inflationary policies. This budget provides an additional across the board raise for our state employees and a 2% cost of living bonus for state retirees. This budget also targets teachers and correctional officers for additional compensation in light of the critical needs and unfilled vacancies in these two areas.”

North Carolina House Budget Chair Rep. Donny Lambeth said,

“As we’ve worked diligently on the House budget, one thing has remained clear: we cannot leave Raleigh without addressing the childcare crisis. The House budget continues 75% of current stabilization grants to keep childcare centers open and parents can remain in the workforce, while giving the state time to develop a more sustainable model for childcare costs.”

North Carolina House Budget Chair Rep. Dean Arp said,

“At a time of economic uncertainty, this House budget restrains spending growth while also dealing with the most pressing needs of our state. We utilized just two reserves—the Economic Development Reserve to fulfill our commitments to bring Toyota’s manufacturing jobs to this state, and the Medicaid Stabilization Reserve, which will address an unexpected one-time increase in Medicaid costs. The savings reserve is untouched and remains at record highs.”

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Raleigh, NC – Today, North Carolina House Leadership filed House Bill 1074, to ensure citizens-only voting in North Carolina.

North Carolina House Speaker Tim Moore said,

“In North Carolina, we value the integrity of our elections and have put safeguards in place to ensure our elections are secure. Recent efforts to allow non-citizens to vote would undermine the public’s confidence in our electoral system and leave the door open for chaos and election fraud to take hold. Preventing non-citizens from voting in our elections also helps maintain national sovereignty, as it prevents foreign influence from affecting the outcomes of American elections, and this amendment to our constitution would further strengthen election integrity in North Carolina.”

North Carolina House Rules Chairman Destin Hall said,

“Tightening our elections laws so that only U.S. citizens are voting in this country ensures that those making decisions about our country’s future have a vested interest in its well-being. Voting is a fundamental right and privilege reserved for citizens of the United States, and I am proud to support this effort to ensure the integrity of our elections.”

North Carolina House Majority Leader John Bell said,

“Polling shows North Carolinians overwhelmingly support a citizens-only voting amendment to our state’s constitution. It is a commonsense measure to further safeguard and uphold the integrity of our elections. I am proud to sponsor this bill with my colleagues and confident the voters of North Carolina will join us in this effort.”

North Carolina House Majority Whip Karl Gillsespie said,

“In order to preserve the democratic principles of our nation, it is imperative that we ensure the integrity of our elections. I am proud to sponsor this bill.”

Rep. Tricia Cotham has been appointed chair of the House Education Appropriations Committee to oversee education appropriations, the largest area of the state budget. This esteemed leadership position is a testament to her dedication, expertise, and unwavering commitment to enhancing education in our state.

Rep. Cotham is a former teacher and assistant principal of East Mecklenburg and Independence High Schools and Northeast Middle School. Her experience and her recognition as “CMS Teacher of the Year” demonstrate her exceptional dedication to the field of education. She was also honored Most Outstanding Alumna by the University of Chapel Hill and was named a 2023 “Champion for Charters” by the National Alliance for Public Charter Schools.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore said, “Throughout her distinguished career, Rep. Cotham has demonstrated a profound understanding of the importance of quality education and its impact on the future of our communities. Furthermore, she has championed school choice as the sponsor of House Bill 823, “Choose Your School, Choose Your Future,” which expanded the Opportunity Scholarship Program to all North Carolina students.”

Raleigh, NC – Today NC House Speaker Tim Moore released the following statement on the passing of Thomas Alvin Farr:

“I was saddened to receive word of the passing of Thomas Farr. There is a profound sense of loss today among those of us who had the privilege of knowing and working alongside Tom. His influence on public policy and advocacy in North Carolina and beyond is undeniable.

“Tom’s contributions to the legal field, his tireless advocacy for justice, and his commitment to the U.S. Constitution and the founding principles of our country will continue to inspire those who knew him for many years to come.”

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Today, NC House Republicans held a press conference to address the US border crisis and its impact on North Carolina. House Republicans also shared a letter signed by all 72 NC House Republicans, urging Governor Cooper to take more significant action on behalf of our state. The letter was sent to Governor Cooper earlier today.

The North Carolina House of Representatives urge Governor Cooper take the following actions:

• Deploy additional North Carolina National Guard troops to assist Governor Abbott, not under ineffectual federal authority, but in coordination with Texas leadership and request any needed additional resources for this deployment in your upcoming state budget submission.

• Commit to signing legislation that mandates cooperation with ICE by local police departments to remove illegal immigrants who are committing crimes. Many illegal immigrants are unaccompanied military-aged men with military or cartel experience.

• Halt any discretionary cooperation with the federal government to place and house illegal migrants in the State.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore said, “The Biden Administration has utterly failed to secure our border. Consequently, every state in the country is now a border state, including North Carolina. It is past time for Governor Cooper to take swift action on behalf of all North Carolinans.

 

A federal court has issued an injunction against a small part of SB 747, which recently became law and would further strengthen the security of elections in North Carolina.

NC House Speaker Tim Moore and House Election Law and Campaign Finance Reform Chairman Rep. Grey Mills have released the following statement:

“The vast majority of Senate Bill 747 is still in effect including increased poll observer access, bans on special interest money funding election offices, and making election day the last day to receive absentee ballots. The court order requires relatively minor changes to one small part of the bill, and we are working with our attorneys and the State Board of Elections to ensure that the entire bill is in effect before the primary and general elections this year. We will never stop fighting for election integrity on behalf of North Carolina’s voters.”

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