{"id":397,"date":"2026-06-10T21:37:44","date_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:37:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=397"},"modified":"2026-06-10T21:37:44","modified_gmt":"2026-06-10T21:37:44","slug":"nc-lawmakers-push-free-college-tuition-to-combat-public-safety-worker-shortage","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/northcarolinamovingjournal.com\/?p=397","title":{"rendered":"NC lawmakers push free college tuition to combat public safety worker shortage"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Children of North Carolina law enforcement officers, firefighters and experienced correctional officers could receive free community college tuition under a bill that passed the state House Education committee Wednesday.<\/span><\/p>\n

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Supporters said <\/span> is intended to help recruit and retain public safety workers as agencies across the state struggle with staffing shortages. Department of Adult Correction officials have told lawmakers the state is operating with roughly half the correctional officers needed to fully staff its prisons, while North Carolina ranks 49th nationally in starting pay for those positions.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWe have issues with recruitment and retention,\u201d said Rep. Mike Schietzelt (R-Wake), a primary sponsor of the bill. \u201cThis is one tool that I think we can use to continue to recruit and retain, particularly correctional officers, but also our firefighters and our law enforcement.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Under the current version of the bill, the state would waive community college tuition for the college-aged children of living, active first responders. State correctional officers would also qualify after at least 10 years of service in North Carolina.<\/span><\/p>\n

The program expands on an existing state law that waives university and community college tuition for the spouses and children of first responders who are killed or permanently disabled in the line of duty.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Lawmakers estimate the expansion would cost the state about $2 million, an investment Schietzelt argued could ultimately save money if it helps agencies recruit and keep officers.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYou put this money into this sort of a system if it has the impact that you want, and you wind up recruiting and retaining even a few extra officers,\u201d Schietzelt said. \u201cThe savings on the other side of that could, I would think, easily exceed what we would have to put into this program over time.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Lawmakers from both parties praised the bill, but questioned how it would operate and whether other types of state employees could be added.<\/span><\/p>\n

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NC prisons face \u2018dire\u2019 staffing crisis<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n