SEN. DEVIERE VOTES AGAINST CONFERENCE BUDGET

“I voted against the conference budget because it falls short on expanding Medicaid and providing access to affordable health care, the level that we compensate our teachers and school employees, making a significant investment in clean water and air, and continues to further corporate tax cuts that lower revenue to meet our state’s pressing needs. While this budget is better than the Senate budget voted on earlier this session and we were able to negotiate several important items and projects for Cumberland County, it still does not accurately fund the priorities that I heard from my constituents. We must fund our people and our priorities first. This budget, while it provided over $100M for our county, does not address the local health care needs of almost 18,000 people; continues to disrespect over 6,000 teachers; and ignores almost 7,000 retirees in my district. I will stand with Governor Cooper as he continues to negotiate for affordable health care and our public schools as this budget now passes to him. This budget process is far from over the vote on this version of the budget is just the next step in the process.”

 

###