State Budget Impasse Looms Large Over UNC System Board Meeting

The continued budget standoff in the North Carolina legislature loomed large at the UNC System’s first Board of Governors meeting of 2020.

The state government’s day-long session earlier in the week, which led to no resolution between Democratic lawmakers and Republican lawmakers over the proposed budget, dominated the comments of system leadership on Friday from start to finish.

Interim System President Bill Roper addressed the lack of a new state budget in his opening remarks, describing the impasse as a source of great frustration and deep concern.

“You and others,” he seemingly directed toward state lawmakers, “have long described this UNC System as the crown jewel as our state. I ask you and our state leaders: please don’t make this system collateral damage in this year’s political standoff.”

Roper said no updated budget will hurt the various institutions and their communities because of the lack of clear funding for projects and the system’s broader visions.

“We’ll be unable to pursue major capital projects and much needed infrastructure repairs. Enrollment growth, particularly at the NC Promise institutions, will go unfunded. Faculty and staff will not receive raises, which means our institutions will be much less competitive when it comes to retaining and hiring the best talent.”

The stalemate between state lawmakers is largely over Medicaid expansion and the level of increased teacher pay. Democratic Governor Roy Cooper vetoed the proposed GOP-made budget in June, saying he would not sign a budget that did not include both elements. Since, Republicans lawmakers have attempted several votes to override the veto, including a successful attempt in September in a half-empty House of Representatives.

On Tuesday, lawmakers scheduled a vote to complete the override veto, but pulled the item when Republicans could not convince enough Democratic senators to vote in favor of the override.

At the Board of Governors meeting, the group unanimously passed a resolution encouraging state elected leaders to enact the House budget bill and for university board of trustees to adopt similar resolutions.

Chair Randy Ramsey closed the meeting with remarks that included sharp criticism of Democratic lawmakers and their decisions to prevent the budget from passing.

“On one hand,” he said, “I’m very eagerly anticipating the world we’ll do in 2020, but on the other hand, not having a current budget in place does cast a shadow on these proceedings. The budget our legislature passed was the most favorable one that’s been done in years, and we can thank people like [Republican Rep. John] Fraley for that. Unfortunately, it did not become law.”

The state legislature’s next scheduled session is April 28. The Board of Governors is scheduled to meet again February 20 and 21.