America First Policies Work in North Carolina

Kevin Daniels serves as the Executive Director of the North Carolina Chapter of the America First Policy Institute 

Passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts Act (WFTC) provided a roadmap for lawmakers and stakeholders to advance policies to ensure an America First agenda was solidified on the federal level and within every state. In the months following, the North Carolina chapter of the America First Policy Institute (AFPI) worked diligently to ensure North Carolinians benefited from federal initiatives that were codified into state law.  

WFTC included a provision to establish a Rural Health Transformation Program to enhance access to rural areas. North Carolina received $213 million to accelerate technology innovation, modernize the workforce, and improve chronic disease management. In rural North Carolina, many hospitals have closed due to rising operating costs and workforce shortages. As a result, lawmakers dedicated funding in the bill to help states maintain and increase health access in rural areas. 

Another key provision of the WFTC was the Tax Credit Scholarship Program, which provides a 100% federal tax credit of up to $1,700 per individual for donations to state-certified Scholarship Granting Organizations (SGOs). These SGOs provide K–12 scholarships that can be used for private school tuition, homeschooling, tutoring, therapies, transportation, and more. Families earning up to 300% of the Area Median Income are eligible to benefit. 

The Educational Choice for Children Act of 2025 would allow the state of North Carolina to participate in the federal tax credit established by the WFTC by certifying eligible scholarship-granting organizations. Within 24 hours of introduction, North Carolina House Bill 87 passed both chambers of the legislature and was sent to the governor, making North Carolina the first state to advance legislation implementing the new federal tax credit. The bill was vetoed by Gov. Josh Stein (D-NC). 

North Carolina has benefitted from America First policies in 2025. As implementation continues, North Carolina stands as a model for how states can partner with federal reforms to deliver real results for working families and the most vulnerable.