All in State Government

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Leads Bipartisan Coalition Opposing Potential Ban on State AI Protections

RALEIGH – Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson led a bipartisan coalition of 36 attorneys general opposing renewed efforts in Congress to prohibit states from enforcing their own artificial intelligence protections. Public reporting indicates that lawmakers may attempt to insert a state AI law ban into a military funding bill, only months after a bipartisan group of attorneys general – including Attorney General Jackson – successfully defeated a similar proposal over the summer. 

Governor Stein, GROW NC, NCEM Announce Funding for Winterization of Helene-Damaged Homes and Temporary Housing in Western North Carolina

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein, the Governor’s Recovery Office for Western North Carolina (GROW NC), and North Carolina Emergency Management announced that a total of $500,000 in home winterization grants will be awarded to two nonprofit organizations engaged in housing rebuild and repair efforts. These funds are granted specifically for completing emergency repairs and temporary measures to prepare homes damaged by Hurricane Helene for winter. The organizations, Rebuild Haywood and the Western North Carolina Conference of United Methodist Churches, help with projects such as installing insulation, wrapping windows, and repairing roofs on homes damaged by the storm. 

New Initiative Launches to Strengthen American Cement Production

A new advocacy initiative, American Foundations, launched today to expand American cement manufacturing capacity and ensure domestic infrastructure is built with high quality, reliable cement. The U.S. experienced a decline in cement production in 2024. Meanwhile, 22% of cement consumed in the U.S. in 2024 was supplied by foreign countries. If left unchecked, these twin trends will undermine America’s manufacturing base, leave the country vulnerable to potentially devastating shortages or supply chain disruptions related to critical infrastructure, and place unnecessary quality and economic burdens on everyday Americans. 

Conservative John Locke Foundation Slams NC Budget Impasse

The conservative John Locke Foundation’s Joseph Harris published a piece this morning outlining how the ongoing budget impasse is hurting North Carolinians, and how the Republican-led General Assembly bears all the blame. The JLF has published multiple pieces highlighting the dysfunction of North Carolina’s Republican majorities and their failure to pass a comprehensive budget despite majorities in both chambers.

Governor Stein Announces More Than 30,000 New Jobs for North Carolina in 2025

(RALEIGH) This week, Governor Josh Stein and the North Carolina Department of Commerce announced seven new economic development projects that will bring more than 3,400 jobs and invest more than $1.8 billion in North Carolina. These announcements come on the heels of Scout Motors selecting Charlotte for its new headquarters, investing more than $206.9 million, and bringing 1,200 jobs to the Queen City. In total, Governor Stein and the Department of Commerce have announced nearly 33,000 new jobs coming to North Carolina this year.  

NCDOL Administrator Kisha Scotton Named Vice-Chair of National Wage & Hour Committee

RALEIGH, NC — The North Carolina Department of Labor is pleased to announce that Kisha Scotton, Administrator of the Wage & Hour Bureau in NCDOL, has been appointed Vice-Chair of the Wage & Hour Committee for the National Association of State Workforce Agencies (NASWA). In her role at NCDOL, Ms. Scotton oversees enforcement of the state’s Wage & Hour Act and related compliance activities. Under her leadership, the Wage & Hour Bureau recovered more than $2.5 million for North Carolina workers last fiscal year.

John Hood: Treasurer Seeks to Reform Health Plan

RALEIGH — Pointing to a projected $1 billion budget hole in North Carolina’s health plan for teachers and other public employees by 2027, State Treasurer Brad Briner and his team are implementing an array of program changes and premium hikes. Their response may not be popular among beneficiaries — but reform is essential if the state is to continue providing health benefits at a reasonable cost.

Governor Stein Volunteers at Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Presents $3.34 Million Donation As SNAP Benefits Stall

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt joined state and elected local officials in volunteering at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as federal food assistance continues to stall. During his visit, Governor Stein presented a $3.34 million check from the State of North Carolina, part of his ongoing initiative to surge public and private donations to food banks.

North Carolina Prepares for Workforce Pell, Expanding Access to Workforce Training Programs

(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein has directed the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships to make recommendations to effectively implement the newly created Workforce Pell grants to help North Carolina students take advantage of additional career training opportunities. The Council includes representatives of key stakeholders, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community College System, the University of North Carolina System, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.  

Increasing Access to Care for Veterans in North Carolina

(RALEIGH) The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) today announced extended hours for NCServes and the launch of AskMeNC, two initiatives that expand access to care for North Carolina’s veterans and their families. These efforts strengthen the state’s coordinated network of support and underscore NCDHHS’s commitment to ensuring the more than 600,000 veterans who live in North Carolina have timely access to mental health care, housing, employment, and peer support services. 

John Hood: Democratic Wave Crushes GOP Candidates

RALEIGH — The odd-year elections yielded precisely what all the warning signs of 2025 portended: a strong Democratic wave that crushed Republican nominees in the gubernatorial races of New Jersey and Virginia, gave Democrats their largest legislative majorities in decades in both states, delivered left-wing results in various ballot initiatives, and elected a hate monger as attorney general of Virginia and a socialist as mayor of New York.