Press Releases

Read news directly from Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina.

Governor Cooper Vetos Bill for Additional Funding for North Carolina School Choice Programs

Raleigh, NC (September 20, 2024) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement to respond to Governor Cooper's veto of a bill that would fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist and add funds to the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program. 

Make no mistake about it, North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper has been opposed to the Opportunity Scholarship Program since day one, calling it an “expense we should stop in our state,” and today following through by vetoing House Bill 10, pointing to the Opportunity Scholarship Program is his reason why.


NC House Passes Bill to Expand Funding For North Carolina School Choice Programs

Raleigh, NC (September 11, 2024) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement to celebrate the state House passing a bill that would fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist and add funds to the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program.

We are thrilled that our state legislature has passed a conference report that would expand funding for North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship Program and Special Needs Scholarship. The conference report now heads to Governor Cooper, and we encourage him to sign it into law as soon as possible, although we know the Governor is no fan of Opportunity Scholarships.


NC Senate Passes Bill to Expand Funding For North Carolina School Choice Programs

Raleigh, NC (September 9, 2024) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement to celebrate the state Senate passing a conference report that would fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist and add funds to the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program.

We are thrilled that our state's Senate has passed a conference report that would expand funding for North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship Program and Special Needs Scholarship. We now await its passage through the state House.


Agreement Reached to Expand Funding for Crucial North Carolina School Choice Programs

Raleigh, NC (September 6, 2024) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in celebration of an agreed conference report that would fully fund the Opportunity Scholarship Program waitlist and add funds to the Education Student Accounts (ESA+) Program.

We are thrilled to see that an agreement has been reached between the House and Senate that would expand funding for North Carolina’s Opportunity Scholarship Program and Special Needs scholarship.

Last year, the General Assembly expanded eligibility for the Opportunity Scholarship Program and families submitted a record number of new applications, but a gap in funding meant 55,000+ were on the outside looking in to start this school year.


Historic Parental School Choice Expansion in North Carolina

Raleigh, NC (September 22, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in celebration of historic parental school choice expansion in North Carolina, upon the passage of a state budget that, among other features, will expand access to the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program. 

“North Carolina is leading the way on education reform and parental school choice!  The newly passed bi-partisan budget ensures our state takes the next step forward for parental school choice options while funding students over systems,” said Long.


North Carolina Budget Prioritizes Students and Families

Raleigh, NC (September 20, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement regarding the North Carolina General Assembly’s budget proposal:  

"Once again, leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly is prioritizing school choice expansion, and once again sending a message that North Carolina is leading the way on education reform and parental school choice. This budget will be a huge win for students, parents and families in our state. The proposed budget will; increase teacher pay, provide access to free school meals for more students, and expand the North Carolina Opportunity Scholarship Program which last school year served over 25,000 students across our state,” said Mike Long. 


PEFNC Applauds Education Reform and Parental School Choice Expansion in Senate Budget

Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, on the passage of the state Senate budget:


PEFNC Applauds Parental School Choice Expansion in HB823

Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, on the passage of a historic parental school choice bill, HB 823:


NCAE should have never filed this politically motivated lawsuit

Raleigh, NC (April 19, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in regard to plaintiffs, including the North Carolina Association of Educators, dropping a lawsuit challenging North Carolina's Opportunity Scholarship Program:

"The NCAE should have never filed this lawsuit in the first place. Their political motivations were clear, despite the fact that the North Carolina Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of the Opportunity Scholarship Program in 2015. 


House Budget and Parental School Choicer

Raleigh, NC (April 6, 2023) -- Mike Long, President of Parents for Educational Freedom in North Carolina, released the following statement in regard to the NC House of Representative's budget.