2023: Jennifer Balkcom Repeatedly Voted To Expand North Carolina’s School Voucher Program, Taking Away Hundreds Of Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars From Public Schools To Fund Private School Tuition For North Carolina’s Wealthiest Families

2023: Balkcom Cosponsored And Voted For H.B. 823, Which Would Provide An Additional $463.5 Million In Private School Voucher Funding In The 2024-2025 And 2026-2027 School Years

April 2023: Balkcom Cosponsored H.B. 823, “An Act To Provide Additional Funds For The Opportunity Scholarship Program And For The North Carolina Personal Education Student Accounts For Children With Disabilities Program.” In April 2023, Balkcom cosponsored H.B. 823, “an act to provide additional funds for the Opportunity Scholarship program and for the North Carolina Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities program.” [North Carolina General Assembly, H.B. 823, 4/18/23]

May 2023: Balkcom Voted For H.B. 823, “An Act To Provide Additional Funds For The Opportunity Scholarship Program And For The North Carolina Personal Education Student Accounts For Children With Disabilities Program.” In May 2023, Balkcom cosponsored H.B. 823, “an act to provide additional funds for the Opportunity Scholarship program and for the North Carolina Personal Education Student Accounts for Children with Disabilities program.” The motion passed by a vote of 65-45-1-9. In May 2024, the bill was referred to the House Committee on Rules, Calendar, and Operations. [North Carolina General Assembly, H.B. 823, 5/17/23]

  • 2024: H.B. 823 Would Provide An Additional $463.5 Million In Private School Voucher Funding Over

The Next Two Years. “North Carolina Republican lawmakers are fast-tracking legislation that will allow tens of thousands of additional students to get taxpayer funding to cover the cost of attending a private school this fall. The state Senate voted 28-15 on Thursday to approve a bill that provides an additional $463.5 million in private school voucher funding over the next two years. GOP lawmakers said the additional money is needed to ensure that all of the 72,000 new applicants for an Opportunity Scholarship get access to a voucher this year. The floor vote came one day after the revised bill was introduced and approved by the Senate Appropriations Committee. House Bill 823 now goes to the House, where House Speaker Tim Moore has already said they’ll back an increase in voucher funding this year.” [News & Observer, 5/2/24]

  • Daily Advance Editorial Board: H.B. 823, North Carolina Republicans’ Proposed Legislation To Expand The State’s Voucher Program For Private Education, Was “Nothing More Than An Effort To Defund The Public Schools.” “It is not a smear, however, to point out what Republicans in a number of states, including now North Carolina, are trying to do to public education. Their proposed legislation to expand the state’s voucher system for private education, Senate Bill 406 and House Bill 823, is nothing more than an effort to defund the public schools.” [The Daily Advance, Editorial, 6/17/23]

2023: Balkcom Voted For The Expand State’s Voucher Program To The North Carolina’s Wealthiest Families Beginning In The 2024-2025 School Year And Eliminated The Prior Public School Enrollment Requirement

September 2023: Balkcom Voted For H.B. 259, “An Act To Make Base Budget Appropriations For Current Operations Of State Agencies, Departments, And Institutions.” In September 2023, Balkcom voted for H.B. 259, “an act to make base budget appropriations for current operations of state agencies, departments, and institutions.” The motion passed by a vote of 70-40-0-10. The bill became law without the Governor’s signature. [North Carolina General Assembly, H.B. 259, 9/22/23]

  • Beginning In The 2024-2025 School Year, H.B. 259 Removed Income Caps For Families To Be Eligible For The Opportunity Scholarship Program. “On October 3, 2023, the North Carolina State Budget (House Bill 259) became law. The new law authorizes several changes to the State’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, which will begin with the 2024-2025 school year. Changes for the 2024-2025 school year include: Removal of the income cap for families to receive the scholarship; now all North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for the Scholarship regardless of income. Prior public school enrollment is no longer a requirement for eligibility for the scholarship. A student’s scholarship amount will be based on household income. Scholarship amounts will range from approximately $3,000 to approximately $7,000. The Opportunity Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year will open on February 1, 2024. Families should apply by March 1st. More information about the application process will be available on the program website in January.” [North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, 10/3/23]
  • Beginning In The 2024-2025 School Year, H.B. 59 Removed The Prior Public School Enrollment Requirement For Eligibility For The Opportunity Scholarship Program. “On October 3, 2023, the North Carolina State Budget (House Bill 259) became law. The new law authorizes several changes to the State’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, which will begin with the 2024-2025 school year. Changes for the 2024-2025 school year include: Removal of the income cap for families to receive the scholarship; now all North Carolina students in kindergarten through 12th grade will be eligible for the Scholarship regardless of income. Prior public school enrollment is no longer a requirement for eligibility for the scholarship. A student’s scholarship amount will be based on household income. Scholarship amounts will range from approximately $3,000 to approximately $7,000. The Opportunity Scholarship application for the 2024-2025 school year will open on February 1, 2024. Families should apply by March 1st. More information about the application process will be available on the program website in January.” [North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority, 10/3/23]
  • Office Of North Carolina Governor: The Opportunity Scholarship Program Was The State’s K-12 Private School Voucher Program. “In 2023, the General Assembly dramatically expanded the Opportunity Scholarship program - the state’s K-12 private school voucher program and eliminated an income cap -

diverting $4 billion in taxpayer money over the next ten years to pay for wealthy people to send their kids to unregulated and unaccountable private schools.” [Office Of North Carolina Governor, accessed 8/14/26]

  • 2024: North Carolina Passed A “Universal School Choice Program” Via The Opportunity Scholarship Program Allowing All Families To Apply For A Voucher To Attend A Public Or Charter School Regardless Of Income. “School Choice refers to using public scholarships or vouchers to support students attending private or charter schools. This allows parents to have alternative options rather than the traditional public school based on their residence. In 2024, NC passed a universal school choice program, joining nine other states in expanding this program to all K-12 students via the ‘Opportunity Scholarship Program’. This program focuses on helping families pay for tuition and fees for private schools by allowing any family to apply for a voucher regardless of income. This effectively removes students and taxpayer money that would be going to our public schools, and sends them to independent schools, not subject to the same requirements for quality or oversight. As a result of voucher programs, traditional public schools are struggling with enrollment and retention nationwide. In North Carolina, the rollout of opportunity vouchers at the state level is projected to result in a decrease in public school enrollment over the next five years. As enrollment declines continue, some schools could face closures, primarily impacting rural and low-income areas.” [Carolina Forward, 10/20/25]

2024: Balkcom Voted For H.B. 10, Which Increased Funding For Private School Vouchers To $625 Million In FY 2025-2025 And Set Automatic Annual Funding Increases Through FY 2032-2033 And Beyond

September 2024: Balkcom Voted For H.B. 10, “An Act To Require Compliance With Immigration Detainers And Administrative Warrants; To Require Certain Reports From Local Law Enforcement; And To Make Various Changes In The Budget Operations Of The State.” In September 2024, Balkcom voted for H.B. 10, “an act to require compliance with immigration detainers and administrative warrants; to require certain reports from local law enforcement; and to make various changes in the budget operations of the state.” The motion passed by a vote of 67-43-0-8. [North Carolina General Assembly, H.B. 10, 9/11/24]

  • H.B. 10 Allocated Additional Funding For Private School Vouchers, Increasing Funding For The Opportunity Scholarship Program To $625 Million In FY 2025-2026. “Members of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) voted this week to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 10 and pass into law nearly half a billion dollars in new funding for NC’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, commonly known as ‘private school vouchers.’ HB 10, which became Session Law 2024-55 on Wednesday, Nov. 20, provides $463.46 million in additional funding for private school vouchers just this year, which will be made retroactive to the July 1, 2024 start of FY 2024-2025, as outlined in greater detail here by NCGA legislative staff. The new law also increases next year’s funding for the program to $625 million (previously $415.54 million), which will continue to automatically increase each year until reaching $825 million in FY 2032-33 and thereafter.” [North Carolina Association of School Administrators, 11/21/24]
  • Under H.B. 10, Funding For Private School Vouchers Continued To Automatically Increase Each Year Until Reaching $825 Million In FY 2032-2023 And Thereafter. “Members of the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) voted this week to override the Governor’s veto of House Bill 10 and pass into law nearly half a billion dollars in new funding for NC’s Opportunity Scholarship Program, commonly known as ‘private school vouchers.’ HB 10, which became Session Law 2024-55 on Wednesday, Nov. 20, provides $463.46 million in additional funding for private school vouchers just this year, which will be made retroactive to the July 1, 2024 start of FY 2024-2025, as outlined in greater detail here by NCGA legislative staff. The new law also increases next year’s funding for the program to $625 million (previously $415.54 million), which will continue to automatically increase each year until reaching $825 million in FY 2032-33 and thereafter.” [North Carolina Association of School Administrators, 11/21/24]
  • After The Republican-Controlled Legislature Voted In 2023 To Eliminate Income Requirements For The State’s Voucher Program, Applications Increased Six-Fold The Following School Year; Lawmakers Later Voted Along Party Lines On Additional Funding To Cover The Surge In Applicants. “On a party-line 28-15 vote, the majority-Republican Senate agreed to spend the money. Almost all of it will cover a surge in demand for Opportunity Scholarship grants since the GOP-dominated legislature agreed last fall to eliminate

family income limits to receive a grant. […] The end of income caps to qualify for the Opportunity Scholarship program and the repeal of another eligibility requirement led to a six-fold increase in new applications for the coming school year. Nearly 55,000 children who qualified for the program this fall won't otherwise be able to access funds unless more money is appropriated.” [WUNC, 5/2/24]

  • Queen City News Headline: “NC Private School Vouchers More Than Double After Lawmakers Remove Income Limits.” [Queen City News, 3/16/25]

2024: Governor Cooper Vetoed H.B. 10, Saying “All Public Schools Will Be Hurt By The Legislature Wasting Its Planned $4 Billion Of The Public’s Money Over The Next Decade” To Let Wealthy Families Receive Taxpayer-Funded Vouchers To Pay For Private School

September 2024: Governor Roy Cooper Vetoed H.B. 10, Saying “All Public Schools Will Be Hurt By The Legislature Wasting Its Planned $4 Billion Of The Public’s Money Over The Next Decade With Rural Public Schools Being Hurt The Worst.” “This bill takes public taxpayer dollars from the public schools and give it to private school vouchers that will be used by wealthy families. Studies show that private school vouchers do not improve student performance, but we won’t know with North Carolina’s voucher scheme because it has the least accountability in the country. All public schools will be hurt by the legislature wasting its planned $4 billion of the public’s money over the next decade with rural public schools being hurt the worst. This money should be used to improve our public schools by raising teacher pay and investing in public school students.” [Governor Roy Cooper, 9/20/24]

September 2024: Governor Roy Cooper: The State Legislature Took “Hundreds Of Millions Of Dollars Out Of The Public Schools” In Order To Give It To Private School Vouchers “Even For The Wealthiest North Carolinians.” “Rural North Carolina’s public schools will suffer because of the state Legislature’s decision this week to spend more tax dollars extending private school vouchers to an additional 55,000 students, Gov. Roy Cooper said this week. ‘The Legislature wants to take hundreds of millions of dollars out of the public schools and give it to private school vouchers, even for the wealthiest North Carolinians,’ Cooper said Wednesday during a phone interview with The Daily Advance. ‘That’s going to be devastating for education across the board.’ Cooper was referring to the Republican-led General Assembly’s approval this week to add up to $625 million in new funding this year to support Opportunity Scholarships, otherwise known as school vouchers.” [Daily Advance, 9/13/24]

November 2024: Balkcom Voted To Override The Governor’s Veto And Said Of Her Continued Votes To Allocate Hundreds Of Millions Of Taxpayer Dollars To Private School Vouchers, “I Support School Choice, Including Public Charter Schools And Private School Vouchers”

November 2024: Balkcom Voted To Override The Governor’s Veto Of H.B. 10, “An Act To Require Compliance With Immigration Detainers And Administrative Warrants; To Require Certain Reports From Local Law Enforcement; And To Make Various Changes In The Budget Operations Of The State.” In November 2024, Balkcom voted to override the Governor’s veto of H.B. 10, “an act to require compliance with immigration detainers and administrative warrants; to require certain reports from local law enforcement; and to make various changes in the budget operations of the state.” The motion passed by a vote of 72-44-0-4 and the bill became law. [North Carolina General Assembly, H.B. 10, 11/19/24]

October 2024: When Asked If She Supported The Appropriation Of $794 Million For Private School Vouchers Since 2023, Balkcom Said, “I Support School Choice, Including Public Charter Schools And Private School Vouchers.” “The Legislature has appropriated $794 million for private school vouchers since 2023. Do you support this spending? Why or why not? Balkcom: Like the overwhelming majorities of likely voters in North Carolina, I support school choice, including public charter schools and private school vouchers. All children, regardless of their family's income, should have access to the best possible education.” [Hendersonville Lightning, 10/20/24]

North Carolina’s Universal Voucher Program Stripped Money From Public Schools, Risking The Closure Of Schools In Rural Areas

Carolina Forward: The Voucher Program Was Projected To Decrease Public School Enrollment, Which Could Force Some Public Schools, Particularly In Rural Areas, To Close. “In 2024, NC passed a universal school choice program, joining nine other states in expanding this program to all K-12 students via the ‘Opportunity Scholarship Program.’ This program focuses on helping families pay for tuition and fees for private schools by allowing any family to apply for a voucher regardless of income. This effectively removes students and taxpayer money that would be going to our public schools, and sends them to independent schools, not subject to the same requirements for quality or oversight. As a result of voucher programs, traditional public schools are struggling with enrollment and retention nationwide. In North Carolina, the rollout of opportunity vouchers at the state level is projected to result in a decrease in public school enrollment over the next five years. As enrollment declines continue, some schools could face closures, primarily impacting rural and low-income areas.” [Carolina Forward, 10/20/25]

2024: Balkcom Said It Was A “Myth” That The North Carolina’s Private School Voucher Program Took Resources From Public Schools

Balkcom Said It Was A “Myth” That The North Carolina’s Private School Voucher Program Took Resources From Public Schools Because It Was “Funded Through A Distinct Section Of The State Budget.” “Myth: Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) takes taxpayer dollars from public schools and redirects them to private school. Truth: The Opportunity Scholarship Program (OSP) does not take funding away from public schools. The OSP budget is entirely separate from the public school budget. OSP funding is managed through the UNC portion of the state budget, whereas public school funding is allocated via the Department of Public Instruction. In summary, OSP does not divert resources from public schools because it is funded through a distinct section of the state budget. TRUTH: Simply put, the state saves money when a student leaves the public school system and uses a voucher to attend a private school. Current law ensures these savings are reinvested into public schools, even if the student is no longer enrolled. Explanation: ‘Hold Harmless’ Provision: In 2023, the General Assembly included a provision in state law (Section 7.82 of the 2023 Appropriation Act) stating: ‘It is the intent of the General Assembly to reinvest in the public schools any savings realized by the State each year, beginning in the 2025-2026 school year.’ Savings to the State: The average Opportunity Scholarship award is less than the per-pupil spending for public school students. (2023: $12,492) When a student opts for a private school voucher, the state incurs lower costs, resulting in savings. Reinvestment Requirement: The Department of Public Instruction is tasked with calculating these savings, which are then reinvested into the public school system to benefit students who remain in public schools. Bottom Line: Opportunity Scholarships do not take money away from public schools. Instead, they generate savings that the state has committed to reinvest in public education starting in the 2025-2026 school year.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 11/21/24]

Image: see original report, p. 85

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 11/21/24]

2024: Balkcom Told A Constituent “Shame On You!” For Pushing Back On School Vouchers For Private Schools. PHYLLIS BAYLES: “Well be accountable for this....2024-25 school year, there are no income-eligibility requirements for private school. Yet NC Public Schools are doing without. Lots of public schools in rural NC small towns. Shame on you!” BALKCOM: “Phyllis Bayles You are mistaken there are requirements for private schools. Everyone, every school deserves the opportunity. Each child has individual needs. They deserves the best opportunity possible no matter what school they attend. Shame on you!” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 8/2/24]

Image: see original report, p. 85

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 8/2/24]

2024: Balkcom Got Into An Extended And Heated Argument With A Facebook Commenter Where She Repeatedly Asserted That School Choice Vouchers Did Not Take Money Away From Public Schools.

PHYLLIS BAYLES: “Well be accountable for this....2024-25 school year, there are no income-eligibility requirements for private school. Yet NC Public Schools are doing without. Lots of public schools in rural NC small towns. Shame on you!” BALKCOM: “Phyllis Bayles You are mistaken there are requirements for private schools. Everyone, every school deserves the opportunity. Each child has individual needs. They deserves the best opportunity possible no matter what school they attend. Shame on you!” BAYLES: “Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117 ...why is it no income=eligibility requirements? and no shame on you! Because you are not doing for public schools. And don't tell me you are giving public schools every opportunity when they are using faulty laptops, and all the other needs.” BALKCOM: “Phyllis Bayles you are again misinformed. Please before you post false statements do your research, its not that hard. Please... 17.9 BILLION went to the public schools in NC and it's B for billion. There is income eligibility for private schools. Each district has authority over their local budget. My district if your in my district, do a good job, our students are well taken care of with new cromebooks. My suggestion would be to look at the budget your school district proposed because they have that authority. We at the General Assembly give them the money... look closer at your local level, how they spend their money before you shame me. Educate yourself.” BAYLES: “In NC, $4 billion in taxpayer money over the next ten years to pay for wealthy people to send their kids to private schools. […] all students who live in North Carolina may be eligible for an Opportunity Scholarship award regardless of income. […] And I have been trying to educate myself. I am not one to put misinformation online. I try real hard not to do that. Most info. is coming from NC gov. I know that most all public schools in NC are doing without less because NC is giving less because of private. I don't care if you are rep. or dem. There was a cap. But now it doesn't matter the income in 2024-2025. I know for fact that it is not misinformation.” BALKCOM: “Phyllis Bayles I don't care if your a dem or a rep either, I work for all in NC. Here is the information I would recommend and the income information and requirements for 2024 and 2025. I think talking to your representatives on the phone or an email would be better way to communicate than a negative blast on a social post if you truly want to discuss our NC childrens education. Please contact my office and happy to discuss further. Thank you. https://www.ncseaa.edu/.../HHIncomeEligibilityGuidelines.pdf [...] Phyllis Bayles sadly enough private smaller school are helping families of all walks of life not just wealthy. FACT.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 8/2/24]

Image: see original report, p. 87

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 8/2/24]

Balkcom Said Four-Person Households Earning $115,440 Receiving School Vouchers Were Not “Genuinely ‘Wealthy’”

Balkcom Said A Four-Person Household Earning $115,440, In The Second Tier Income-Level For North Carolina’s School Voucher Program, Was Not “Genuinely ‘Wealthy.’” “Myth: Scholarship Funds Are for Wealthy Families Truth: Opportunity Scholarships are designed primarily to assist children from families with low and moderate incomes. Here's how: Sliding Scale for Scholarship Amounts: Scholarships are tiered based on family income, with lower-income families receiving larger amounts. For example: Tier 1 and Tier 2 recipients, representing lower-income families, receive an average of $7,460 per student. Tier 3 and Tier 4, higher-income families, receive an average of $3,360 per student. Income Statistics: In the 2022-23 school year, the average household income of Opportunity Scholarship recipients was just $44,299. Some critics argue that extending eligibility to higher-income households is unjustified. However, this is countered by the following points: Individuals earning over $100,000 annually comprise less than 25% of taxpayers but contribute over 74% of total tax revenue. If their children are entitled to attend public schools funded by taxpayer dollars, why should they not have the choice of using a opportunity for private education? Perception of wealth, asking whether a four-person household earning $115,440 (Tier 2 threshold) is genuinely ‘wealthy.’ For context, two teachers earning the state average of $59,423 would exceed this figure. Are they considered wealthy? Opportunity Scholarships aim to promote educational access for ALL children in this state, with most benefits favoring lower-income families.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 11/20/24]

Image: see original report, p. 88

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 11/20/24]

Balkcom Had A History Of Promoting “School Choice” And Called Herself “A Strong Proponent For School Choice In North Carolina”

2016: Balkcom Said She Supported “School Choice.” “PARENTAL RIGHTS: Support parental rights, school choice, and homeschooling. No CRT!” [Jennifer Balkcom for State House via Internet Archive, archived 8/11/16]

Image: see original report, p. 89

[Jennifer Balkcom for State House via Internet Archive, archived 8/11/16]

April 2022: Balkcom Said She Would “Be A Strong Proponent For School Choice In North Carolina, Including Charter Schools, Magnet Schools, Homeschooling, And Expanding Our State’s Opportunity Scholarship Program.” “EDUCATION Jennifer will introduce legislation to Protect Parental Rights in their child’s education; Jennifer will fight the radical left’s assault on education by demanding curriculum transparency and the end of CRT indoctrination and other radical ideologies in our public schools; Jennifer will be a strong proponent for school choice in North Carolina, including charter schools, magnet schools, homeschooling, and expanding our state's Opportunity Scholarship Program, which provides vouchers to economically disadvantaged children to attend private schools.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 4/23/22]

Image: see original report, p. 89

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 4/23/22]

2024: Balkcom: “Did You Know That North Carolina Spends An Average Of $10,655 Per Public School Student Each Year? Did You Know The Average Tuition For Private Schools In North Carolina Is $9,056 For Elementary Schools And $10,066 For High Schools?” “Education is not one size fits all. This is National School Choice Week! It's a good time to be glad in North Carolina. Parents overwhelmingly support school choice. The NC Republican legislative majority has heard parents' voices saying they want school choice for their children. Did you know that North Carolina spends an average of $10,655 per public school student each year? Did you know the average tuition for private schools in North Carolina is $9,056 for elementary schools and $10,066 for high schools. Parents have the right to choose what's best for their children. #YourChildYourChoice #SchoolChoiceWeek #schoolchoice #nchouse117.” [Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 1/22/24]

Image: see original report, p. 90

[Jennifer Balkcom for North Carolina House District 117, Facebook, 1/22/24]

Source report (PDF)