Every year, students in North Carolina face the daunting reality of taking on tremendous, exponentially increasing student debt to pay for higher education. As a North Carolina resident and one deeply invested in the future of our state, I've seen firsthand how this immense and unfair financial burden impedes the dreams of countless students, who graduate drowning in debt and with degrees that often don't lead to viable employment opportunities. It's an issue that's personal to me, because I believe the education system should be designed to elevate people's lives and set them up to be more successful in the long run, not trap them in debt and leave them with a meaningless sheet of paper that most everyone has now anyway.

This cycle of debt not only affects individual futures but also has profound implications for the economy of North Carolina. Many graduates find themselves struggling to contribute fully to our local economy because they are weighed down by financial obligations. Yet, with a strategic shift towards industry-specific free education at state universities, we can transform this scenario. By aligning educational offerings with the needs of North Carolina’s growing industries, we can provide students with the skills they need to enter the workforce successfully, thereby strengthening our state's economy.

Consider this: according to the Institute for College Access and Success, the average student loan debt in North Carolina is around $26,526 per borrower. This is a heavy financial burden for young adults starting their careers. Moreover, a report by the North Carolina Department of Commerce highlights that several industry sectors, such as healthcare, technology, and green energy, are booming and have a high demand for skilled workers. By providing free education in these areas first, we can ensure a skilled workforce that meets the economic demands of our state, thus saving the state and its citizens substantial amounts of money, while simultaneously stimulating the economy.

Creating a system of free college education for North Carolina citizens is not just a dream for Daran Thomas; it's a realistic and necessary goal that benefits us all. Reducing or eliminating student debt for our state university students would empower them to innovate, invest, and contribute mightily to our community’s growth and prosperity, and is the first necessary step to future-proofing the economy, while also keeping the powers that be in check so that prices do not keep rising unreasonably exponentially while the students bear the brunt of the cost.

Join me in urging our state lawmakers to pass this piece of legislation proposed by Daran Thomas that provides free college education at North Carolina's state universities. This investment in education is an investment in the future of our state, which will create a thriving environment where every student has the chance to succeed. It starts with you - if you do not raise your voice against injustice and corruption, no one will, and the cycle will continue for you and your kids until someone else steps up, takes responsibility, and makes the change happen themselves. We can do it now because Daran Thomas is willing to give the students of North Carolina a fighting chance, and we would love for you to be a part of this change for the advancement of our community, our state, and maybe even our nation if other states catch on and follow suit. Please sign this petition to make a brighter future for North Carolina a reality!

Daran Thomas for House District 49