McCrory, Cooper talk teacher pay and politics; Governor ducks reporters again

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Both candidates for governor made a stop in the Port City today to talk education and politics. Gov. Pat McCrory, however, refused to speak to reporters for the second time in nine days at public events in Wilmington.

McCrory and Attorney General Roy Cooper attended the North Carolina Association of School Administrators Conference at the Wilmington Convention Center. McCrory, a Republican, and Cooper, the Democratic nominee for governor,  discussed hot topics in education, including teacher pay, testing and technology in the classrooms. Cooper was first to the stage between the pair. He said education is a real issue in the state.

“Over the last few years, public education has hit hard times,” Cooper said. “Our teacher and educator morale is at an all-time low.”

Cooper said the problem with education is due to a lack of respect among McCrory and other state leaders.

“We know that our teacher and educator salaries and our per pupil expenditures over the last few years have dropped to some of the lowest in the country,” said Cooper.

When McCrory took the stage, he said he’s worked to increase teacher salaries during his time in office. He also said issues with teacher pay and excessive testing were products of previous governors and leadership.

“This is about the students,” McCrory said. “It’s not about us in this room.”

Both men touched on politics, specifically House Bill 2, as well.

“This is not about discrimination,” McCrory said when speaking on HB2. “It’s about common sense etiquette.”

Cooper, who has said he will not defend the state in lawsuits against the law, had a different perspective.

“We don’t need to put our federal dollars at risk by passing discrimination laws like House Bill 2,” Cooper said.

After the conference, McCrory, who earlier this week called on lawmakers to walk back some of the elements of HB2 regarding lawsuits in state court for discrimination complaints, quickly left in a dark SUV. Last week the governor avoided reporters at the Azalea Festival Queen’s Coronation by getting in a boat docked near the stage.

Cooper spoke to reporters today and answered questions regarding the topics both men discussed at the podium.

“That order was a day late and a veto short,” said Cooper of the governor’s Executive Order. “Unfortunately it does very little to change things. I think it’s very important that when the legislature goes back into session that they get rid of this law.”