According to a SurveyUSA poll released through WRAL Feb. 21, a majority of North Carolina voters polled support Governor Roy Cooper’s stance on Medicaid expansion and increases in both school funding and teacher pay. With 2,760 North Carolinians responding, 57% favored Medicaid expansion. Additionally, 71% supported an increase in school funding, and 72% supported a raise in teacher pay. The majority votes cut across racial, class and ideological lines. 

A recent press release from Cooper’s office said he has advocated for the changes in previous budget proposals. Cooper’s March 2019 budget proposal included a 9.1% raise in teacher pay over two years, an expansion of Medicaid and support for a school construction bond meant to eliminate trailers on school campuses. Republican lawmakers countered with a 3.9% raise, to which Cooper responded with 8.5%.

Negotiations have stalled for seven months since Cooper’s last proposal. North Carolina has been without a budget for nine months as a result of the stalemate over Medicaid, education funding and business tax cuts. Cooper vetoed the budget Republican lawmakers proposed last summer, claiming a need for fewer corporate tax cuts and an increase in school funding.

The survey asked respondents whether they would support a proposed 4% or 9% raise over two years. 70% favored a 9% raise. Moreover, 71% said they would support a boost to the economy by funding schools rather than cutting taxes.

Cooper’s office said, “This latest poll only reinforces the need for Republican leaders to compromise to pass a budget that will serve the needs of North Carolinians across the state.”