Cooper To Veto Republican Budget Changes

North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed the state budget adjustments approved by the Republican-dominated legislature.

Cooper vetoed the measure Wednesday before announcing the move at a news conference. The nearly $24 billion plan came to his desk late last week, and he had until this Monday to act.

Republicans have veto-proof majorities, and votes last week indicated they have margins to override his budget veto for the second consecutive year.

Cooper criticized GOP leaders for not spending more on school safety initiatives and for failing to give teachers average pay increases that are higher than what he sought.

Still, the Republican proposal provides average teacher raises of 6.5 percent, and 2019 tax cuts approved previously would still be carried out. Cooper wanted some of those tax cuts blocked.