Burr Legislation to Increase North Carolina Education Funding Clears the Senate

Press Release

Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) today made the following statements on the passage of not one but two pieces of legislation accompanying the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA) that will increase funding for education children in North Carolina.

"I'm beyond thrilled that North Carolinians will see a significant increase in education funding for our children as a result of these two pieces of legislation," said Burr. "For the future of our state, it is imperative that we do all we can to assist our students, regardless of background, in reaching high academic standards. Only through a strong education system can we secure a bright economic future for North Carolina. It is my belief that today we have legislation that will help get us back on the right path to empowering our students at a local level."

Yesterday, the bipartisan Full Educational Opportunity Act, was added by a vote of 59 to 39 to the Every Child Achieves Act (ECAA). Senator Michael Bennet (D-CO) co-sponsored this legislation, and North Carolina stands to gain up to $72 million, based on current appropriations numbers, in federal funds for impoverished children in North Carolina.

In the committee mark up of ECAA in April, Senator Burr fought for an additional $27 million annually to North Carolina schools by passing an amendment to modernize federal grants for states that experienced an increase in population since 2001. This amendment was incorporated into the ECAA and subsequently passed the floor vote today and will increase funding by 47% over current federal funding amounts.

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