CHARLOTTE, NC (WBTV) - North Carolina's $20 billion new budget has one group feeling left out, and several Eugenics victims from Charlotte are preparing a lawsuit to get the money from the state they say they deserve.
State records show there were around 7600 victims, both men and women were sterilized between 1929 and 1974. One of those surviving victims, Janice Black, says she's not going to stop fighting. She lives with her best friend, Sadie Long, in Charlotte.
"We'll keep our boxing gloves on. We don't have a choice at this point," Long said.
Long says she's upset with state lawmakers after they decided not to give $50,000 to sterilization victims like Janice.
"It is time to do the right thing. It' not the political issue. It's to do the right thing," Black said.
Black was sterilized in 1971 when she was just 18 years old. A few weeks ago, House members in Raleigh passed a budget that would have given Black and other victims $50,000. The Senate said "no" and the final budget did not include funding.
Governor Bev Perdue vetoed the $20 billion dollar budget, arguing money should have gone into Janice Black's pocket.
"I want to thank the Governor and everybody for working for me," Black said,
In the end, the plan came up short, after lawmakers overrode Perdue's veto, meaning no money for Janice Black. Now, she's suing.
"We can pursue it, and God has the last say so on everything, so as long as we keep the faith and stay on the battle field, my God will show up," Long said.
The $20 billion final budget may not include funding for Black, but does include a 1.2 percent raise for state employees and a 1.2 percent cost of living increase for retirees.
The House and Senate compromised on public school funding. They'll get $251 million more. It is money to cover federal funds that are going away. Lawmakers also put a cap on the gasoline tax at $37.5 cents, down from $39 cents.
Janice Black admits all are important parts for North Carolina, but feels she has been cheated, and looks forward to legal action.
"We'll continue to fight. It's not over yet," she said.
The class action lawsuit includes around 15 other victims from the area. It will be filed in a few weeks.
Lawmakers who voted against the compensation bill did because they say the money needed to go towards education, the gas tax, and dozens of other projects.
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