Gov. Pat McCrory's budget expands funding for pre-kindergarten programs while House lawmakers passed a bill to restrict eligibility. Parents and researchers say the state's investment in getting children ready for school has already paid off.

Former Congressman Bob Etheridge said Friday that Republican-led efforts to reform North Carolina schools will only hurt students and teachers.

A proposal to cut in half the number of children eligible for the state's free pre-kindergarten program won House approval Tuesday. Meanwhile, the House also gave final approval to a bill allowing in-stand beer sales at professional sporting events.

A bill that passed a key House committee Tuesday would tighten rules for NC Pre-K, roughly halving the number of 4-year-olds eligible for the state-funded program.