North Carolina Governor Vetoes Student Loan Bill

North Carolina governor, Beverly Perdue, refused approval of measures that allowed community college campuses to opt out of participating in a federal student loan program. This is Perdue’s fourth veto for this year, and the most vetoes so far for 2011 by any North Carolina governor.

Some argue that limiting funding to low-cost federal loans will not work in favor of higher-education goals. Many students will find state schools too expensive to attend, but according to Perdue, the measure would have denied students the opportunity to get an education.

The other bill that Perdue vetoed was a bill that would have required monthly premiums for health insurance by all active North Carolina state workers and teachers. According to reports, this measure was vetoed in the attempt to close more than $500 million gap in the State Health Plan over the next few years.

The State Health Plan pays health care expenses for more than 660,000 state employees, teachers, retirees and dependents. This health plan is similar to the health plan bailout two years ago of $670 million that caused around 10 percent increase for dependent care premiums per year. However, Perdue stated in her veto message, “This bill is in effect a tax on teachers, who have not received a pay raise – and have effectively seen their pay drop – for the past three years,”

The North Carolina Association of Educators had rejected the measure, saying that the bill would cost teachers approximately $1,800. Association lobbyist Brian Lewis said, “The governor is standing with teachers and educators,” But, According to House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenbug, he offered Perdue a $14 million adjustment for teachers in the basic coverage tier, but things didn’t go as planned. Tillis said, “We were prepared to take that off the table and avoid this veto. That didn’t happen. So it’s got to be more than that.”

What do you feel as student, parent or guardian? Was this a ‘FAIL’ on her part?