Wilmington nonprofit Coastal Horizons faces $6 million state funding cut

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Coastal Horizons COO Ryan Estes says the Wilmington-based nonprofit is weighing its options after lawmakers in Raleigh cut $6 million in state funding.

Estes says losing that funding will impact a number of programs used by people across the state.  

One program focuses on helping those facing substance abuse and mental health challenges, while another works to keep those battling addiction out of prison.  

Estes worries a loss in services will leave more people in emergency rooms, jails, and on the street.  

“Those are the real consequences. This isn’t about a line item on a budget, it’s about 25,000 lives that we’re anticipating will be impacted,” he said. 

The budget proposal passed the house 86-20. 

One of the people who voted against the budget is Representative Deb Butler of Wilmington. 

Butler says she had several issues with the proposal, including expanded private school vouchers with no income cap, and the tax rate for corporations, which will eventually reach 0% under the current plan. 

“We are making our citizens pay a higher income tax than corporations, and that is not fair either, particularly when we are facing a structural deficit,” Butler said. 

Butler says the funding cut is a mistake. 

“Coastal Horizons is an extraordinary organization,” she noted. “They have stood the test of time and they have served this community incredibly well, and any reduction in their budgetary line item is a tragedy.”  

Estes calling on other lawmakers to restore the funding during reconciliation.  

“We’re very hopeful in the reconciliation process, that these funds will be put back into the budget, but we certainly have uncertainty, and it will have a real impact on our community if there not,” he said. 

After passing the house, the budget will now head to the senate where lawmakers will negotiate over the next month.   

Both chambers would ultimately need to approve the final budget. 

The goal is to get the budget on the Governor Stein’s and signed into law before the July 1 deadline.