RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Republicans have made a significant stride towards implementing their legislative goals before the year concludes, as the state House voted on Tuesday to overturn a veto issued by Democratic Governor Roy Cooper.

The legislation that was vetoed includes funding for private school scholarship grants as well as provisions that require local sheriffs to cooperate with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). These issues have been focal points for Republican leaders during the current legislative session. The House’s move to override the veto followed mostly a party-line vote and occurs during a multi-day session of the General Assembly, which is also addressing relief efforts for communities in western North Carolina still recovering from Hurricane Helene.

The bill allocates approximately $463 million for the state’s Opportunity Scholarship program and includes an additional $160 million to support increased enrollment in K-12 public schools and community colleges.

Many House Democrats criticized the focus on private school scholarships, urging Republicans to prioritize funding for public schools and ongoing recovery efforts from the hurricane. In a letter sent to lawmakers on Monday, Cooper, who is set to depart from office in January due to term limits, emphasized the urgent need for financial support for the region. “The economy of Western North Carolina requires immediate funding, not delayed assistance,” he stated in his correspondence.

However, Republicans contend that the proposed legislation is crucial in addressing the extensive waitlists for the Opportunity Scholarship program. Last year, the GOP-led General Assembly lifted income restrictions on the program, resulting in an unprecedented demand and causing approximately 55,000 children to be placed on waitlists. In September, both legislative chambers reached a consensus on a funding agreement that formed the basis of the bill Cooper vetoed, aimed at eliminating these waitlists.

“We should not create a false dichotomy between hurricane recovery, public school funding, and support for the Opportunity Scholarship program,” expressed Republican Representative Tricia Cotham from Mecklenburg County in advocating for the bill.

Additionally, the legislation mandates that sheriffs in North Carolina comply with ICE detainers, which are requests to hold individuals suspected of being undocumented. Under this law, such individuals would be detained for up to 48 hours based on an order from a judicial official to allow for their transfer to ICE authorities.

This legislative move follows the recent electoral success of President-elect Donald Trump, who has prominently campaigned on the issues of illegal immigration and mass deportations. Republican Representative Destin Hall from Caldwell County, who is sponsoring the bill, noted, “I urge you to consider the clear message from the voters of this state and across the nation during the recent elections.”

In opposition to the bill, advocacy groups, including several voices raised at an Every Child NC press conference earlier in the day, expressed concerns that the new law could disproportionately impact immigrant communities in the state. “HB 10 poses severe risks to undocumented individuals, especially children who fear for their parents’ deportation while they attend public schools,” commented Brandy Sullivan, co-founder of Southern Wake Liberal Ladies and a Mexican-born naturalized citizen.

For the legislation to be enacted, the North Carolina Senate must also vote to override Cooper’s veto.