House District 27 Representative Rodney D. Pierce voted against the North Carolina House budget proposal for the 2025–2026 legislative session, citing what he described as deep concerns about its failure to meet the needs of working families, retirees, individuals with disabilities, historically marginalized communities, and public school students.
“The budget is a reflection of our values — and this budget simply does not value the people of House District 27 or many of our most vulnerable residents across the state,” said Pierce. “It prioritizes politics over people, and I could not in good conscience support it.”
Neglecting retirees, individuals with disabilities, and public education
Pierce said he strongly opposed the budget’s lack of a meaningful cost-of-living adjustment for state retirees “who have gone years without sufficient increases despite rising inflation and living costs. Our state employees gave decades of service. They deserve dignity in retirement, not neglect.
Equally troubling, he said, was the budget’s failure to expand funding for Innovations Waivers, which support people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. “Demand for these services continues to grow, yet the legislature once again ignored the waiting list, leaving thousands of families without critical resources.”
Meanwhile, he said the budget preserves over $1 billion in taxpayer funding for private school vouchers through the Opportunity Scholarship program, despite multiple Democratic amendments — including those he supported — that would have reallocated a portion of these funds to:
Provide even more meaningful teacher raises
Offer universal free breakfast and lunch for students
Increase funding for students with disabilities
Ensure every public school has a social worker
Fully fund Propel NC, the new community college funding model, with a recurring $40 million appropriation
“These are not partisan ideas — these are practical investments in our children and our future,” said Pierce. “But Republican leadership chose to fully fund private school vouchers while refusing to meet basic public education needs.”
Medicaid reserve raided despite storm and federal uncertainty
Pierce also raised concerns about the budget’s “draining of $976.5 million from the state’s Medicaid Reserve Fund, a vital source of stability as North Carolina continues the Medicaid expansion process.”
Said Pierce: “With growing uncertainty at the federal level around the future of Medicaid and the very real health needs of our communities, tapping nearly a billion dollars from this fund is fiscally reckless.”
He supported a Democratic-sponsored amendment that would have preserved $776.5 million in the reserve while allocating $200 million to the Helene Hurricane Recovery Relief Fund, which he said is urgently needed to help western North Carolina communities rebuild and prepare for future disasters.
Erasing equity: Programs Cut from the budget
Pierce also condemned the elimination of several key equity-focused programs, including:
The Minority Male Success Initiative, aimed at closing achievement gaps for young men of color at community colleges
The Office of Historically Underutilized Businesses within the Department of Administration, which he said ensures equitable access to state contracting for businesses owned by minorities, women and people with disabilities
The Office of Environmental Justice within the Department of Environmental Quality, which he said is critical to ensuring frontline communities are heard and protected in environmental decisions
“This budget erases programs designed to level the playing field. That is unacceptable, especially for rural and historically under-resourced communities like those I represent.”
Common sense amendments rejected
When the House budget was considered in the Appropriations Committee, Pierce said offered several targeted amendments to address needs specific to House District 27, all of which were voted down by the Republican majority:
Funding for an additional historical interpreter and maintenance technician at Historic Halifax, a key state historical site, he said.
Support for the Lake Gaston Weed Control Council to combat the spread of invasive hydrilla
Funding for field trips to the Legislative Building, particularly for students from Tier I counties
Resources to add an additional public defender in Judicial District 7 to reduce caseloads and ensure timely access to justice
“These are practical, community-driven requests,” said Pierce. “They would create jobs, preserve our history, protect our environment, and bring opportunity to young people in rural counties. Their rejection speaks volumes about the priorities of this budget.”
Standing up for District 27
Pierce reaffirmed his commitment to the people of Halifax, Northampton, and Warren counties. “I am here to serve the people of eastern North Carolina — not the interests of private institutions or political agendas,” he said. “I will continue to fight for equity, investment in public education, and policies that lift all communities — not just a privileged few.”
