Budget fix includes $25 million for Military World Games
On August 5, the North Carolina House of Representatives voted to pass HB 268, a technical corrections bill to the recently signed-into-law budget, which includes $25 million earmarked for the 2027 Military World Games, to be held in Charlotte next summer.
Of the $25 million directed to the North Carolina Department of Commerce for the games, $17.5 million would be available only if conditions outlined in the legislation are met. The remaining $7.5 million would be used to reserve facilities at UNC Charlotte.
In May, the Local Organizing Committee for the 2027 Military World Games hosted a delegation from the International Military Sports Council (CISM) for the first site visit to the Queen City, where the games are set to take place from June 24 to July 4, next summer. Charlotte will be the first US city to host the Military World Games.
The games are held every four years, one year before the Olympics. This event is not affiliated with the Olympics and is also different from the FISU World University Games, which will be held in the Research Triangle in 2029.
“It is an event that is based on the CISM and Olympic spirit, without political, religious and racial consideration nor discrimination,” according to the website. “Furthermore, it must be organised in a dignified manner.”
Almost 10,000 military athletes from 100 CISM member nations will compete across 25 different sports in the 2027 summer games, according to the organizers. The games serve as a unique platform showcasing the exceptional skills, discipline, and teamwork of military personnel from across the globe while fostering unity and friendship through sports.
“Unfortunately, the technical corrections bill adds more earmarks to the 727 already included in the comprehensive budget bill,” Brian Balfour, VP of research at the John Locke Foundation, told the Carolina Journal. “Tens of millions of taxpayer dollars being directed to sporting events is far beyond the proper role of government. It seems that too often legislators see tax revenue as a pot of money to be distributed by whim, without paying mind to the fact that those tax dollars are taken out of the paychecks of hard-working North Carolinians. Legislators should take great pains to spend every tax dollar wisely and in accordance with a very limited role of government. Earmarks like this suggest legislators are not taking that responsibility seriously.”
The technical corrections bill is now on Stein’s desk for his signature or veto.
“Budget fix includes $25 million for Military World Games” was originally published on www.carolinajournal.com.
