North Carolina needs more than short-term gestures

North Carolina families are anticipating the impact of the harmful Republican federal megabill passed in July that will raise everyday costs and slash support for health care and food assistance — all to hand more tax breaks to the ultrawealthy.

Instead of stepping up with a clear plan to protect North Carolina families from these harmful changes, state lawmakers spent their time on a series of veto overrides on unrelated bills that will drive up energy costs, erect barriers to opportunity, and put people’s safety at risk.

When state legislative leaders finally considered the state implications of the Republican megabill, their first move was to adopt the federal voucher program — another giveaway to the wealthiest households. The Governor still has the power to reject this harmful provision.

Meanwhile, state legislative leaders’ modest funding for Medicaid this time around signals they are preparing for service cuts in North Carolina before the full harms of the federal bill even hit. This approach leaves families, providers, and communities across the state without the support they need — and without a strategy to protect the well-being of North Carolinians as challenges grow from the federal megabill implementation.

Such an inadequate and piecemeal approach to the state budget fails to set up our communities to navigate rising costs and increased uncertainty when times get tough.

North Carolina needs more than short-term gestures. We need real leadership that prioritizes the people. NC legislative leaders should immediately pause scheduled income tax cuts for the wealthy and profitable corporations so that we have the resources necessary to protect NC from federal funding cuts. That’s how we ensure our state budget truly serves everyone — and protects and advances the well-being of us all, even in uncertain times.