LATEST NEWS AND OPINION

The state House gave final approval to its budget proposal Thursday, with one of its lead authors predicting a hard road to passage of a final spending plan.

(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein today released the following statement regarding FEMA’s notification that it will no longer provide direct federal assistance for the US Army Corps of Engineers: 

This is not the budget that House Democrats would have proposed, but it is the best proposal we will see this Session. It continues to fund opportunity scholarships and does not address many of the critical investments we need across state government. 

The state’s seasonally adjusted April 2025 unemployment rate was 3.7 percent, unchanged from March’s revised rate. The national rate was unchanged at 4.2 percent.

The House’s proposed budget isn’t perfect. But I am pleased that the House raises teacher pay to make North Carolina’s starting teacher salaries the second-highest in the Southeast and rewards our state employees with a raise.

RALEIGH — Roy Cooper will reportedly make some headlines next month. I have no idea whether he’ll announce a run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. If he does, the former governor will present a formidable challenge to incumbent Sen. Thom Tillis. If he doesn’t run, it will be at least partly because Cooper believes he’ll win — and the prospect of spending the next six years in Washington may fill him with more dread than delight.

(Raleigh, N.C.) — State Treasurer Brad Briner released the following statement in response to the House’s proposed state spending plan.

Raleigh, NC – Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives released a state budget that is Committed to Carolina, delivering meaningful pay raises for teachers and state employees, targeted tax relief for working families, and cuts to wasteful government spending, including DEI programs.

(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein this week shared his recommendations on key reforms at the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve federal disaster response. Governor Stein provided his input to the President’s FEMA Review Council in a letter in response to the Department of Homeland Security’s request for public input.  

RALEIGH – Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson joined 39 Republican and Democrat attorneys general opposing an attempt by Congress to prevent states from implementing and enforcing laws regulating artificial intelligence. This would eliminate important consumer protections from harmful uses of AI already in place, putting North Carolinians at risk.