Workers Lobby for More School Funding (NC)

June 15, 2011

North Carolina Senators are about to hear from public school workers as lawmakers decide whether to back up their nearly $20 billion budget by overriding Gov. Beverly Perdue’s veto. The North Carolina Association of Educators lobbies the Senate on Wednesday to get more funding for public schools. The Senate is expected to vote to overturn Perdue’s veto, which she said she used to protect the state’s education network. The House overrode Perdue’s veto early Wednesday. Members of the Democrat-friendly education group have warned that the Republican-written budget would lead to thousands of schoolhouse layoffs statewide. The association has also urged lawmakers to continue a one-cent sales tax. The teachers’ group is collecting pennies and personal stories to give lawmakers in hopes some can be swayed to increase school spending.