North Carolina lawmakers will return to Raleigh next week with several high-profile vetoes still hanging over the state’s legislative agenda. Among them are two bills drawing national attention: one establishing a tax credit program for school children and another that would allow permitless concealed carry.
The school choice bill, known as the Educational Choice for Children Act (House Bill 87), would provide up to $1,700 in tax credits beginning in 2027. The measure has strong Republican backing and has already gained some Democratic support, increasing the likelihood of a successful veto override. If passed, North Carolina would become the first state to codify President Donald Trump’s signature federal school choice initiative.
Supporters note that several House Democrats—most notably Reps. Shelly Willingham and Carla Cunningham—have already sided with Republicans on key votes this session, helping to secure multiple overrides. Their cooperation has been critical to advancing the GOP’s agenda, which has included measures on immigration, donor privacy, and firearms.
In contrast, the fight over permitless carry faces an uphill battle. The Freedom to Carry NC bill (Senate Bill 50) lacked Democratic support from the beginning and even faced opposition from some Republicans, including Reps. William Brisson and Ted Davis Jr. With multiple GOP absences at passage, legislative leaders face a far steeper climb to override Governor Josh Stein’s veto.
Also on the table are three separate bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion policies across state agencies, K-12 education, and higher education. These measures passed without Democratic support, and their fates depend on party unity among Republicans, who hold narrow three-fifths majorities in both chambers.
Republican leaders, including Senate President Phil Berger and House Speaker Destin Hall, have stressed the importance of timing, signaling they will only call votes when they are confident of the numbers. Overrides have succeeded before—even after unexpected shifts. In the 2023–24 session, lawmakers overturned all 29 vetoes issued by then-Governor Roy Cooper, despite dozens of legislators switching their votes between passage and override.
