Raleigh, N.C. – This week, the General Assembly will meet to consider a package of criminal justice reforms that target soft-on-crime policies that contributed to the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22, 2025, in Charlotte.
All in Politics
Legislative Leaders Unveil Criminal Justice Reforms Following Murder of Iryna Zarutska in Charlotte
Raleigh, NC — This week, the General Assembly will meet to consider a package of criminal justice reforms that target soft-on-crime policies that contributed to the senseless murder of Iryna Zarutska on Aug. 22, 2025, in Charlotte.
NC Senate to Consider Crucial Funding for Statewide Healthcare Needs
Raleigh, N.C. – The N.C. Senate will consider a bill to address the Stein administration's politically motivated cuts to Medicaid provider rates and ensure vital investments in rural healthcare are completed.
House Unveils Fiscally Responsible Plan to Fund Medicaid Rebase and Ensure Long-Term Stability
Raleigh, NC — Today, North Carolina House leaders released a proposed committee substitute for Senate Bill 403, a plan to fully fund the state’s Medicaid rebase while protecting teacher and state employee pay raises and avoiding new provider rate cuts. This plan is the result of close collaboration between the House, executive branch and other stakeholders.
Mike Rose Announces His Candidacy for Johnston County Commissioner
Johnston County Commissioner Mike Rose announced his candidacy for Johnston County’s 3rd District Commissioner seat today. Rose, a conservative businessman and former Princeton Mayor Pro Tempore, was appointed to the 3rd District seat by the Johnston County Commissioners in November 2024.
Governor Stein Urges Bipartisan Solutions on Public Safety, Teacher Pay, and Health Care Ahead of General Assembly’s Return to Raleigh
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein urged the General Assembly to pass a budget that makes investments in public safety, raises pay for teachers and state employees, and funds health care for North Carolinians. The Governor released the following statement:
Senators Budd, Cortez Masto Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Combat Foreign Cyberattacks Targeting American Agriculture
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-Nev.) introduced the bipartisan Cybersecurity in Agriculture Act today to enhance the cyberattack readiness, response, and recovery of American agricultural infrastructure. The legislation would prioritize cybersecurity preparedness by establishing a network of five Regional Agriculture Cybersecurity Centers to strengthen national security measures and protect the United States' food supply.
John Hood: Shoddy Statistics Will Produce Bad Policy
RALEIGH — President Donald Trump has removed the head of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics and appointed an economist from the Heritage Foundation to replace her. A legal exercise of the president’s powers? Absolutely. But the replacement, E.J. Antoni, must be confirmed by the U.S. Senate. I hope North Carolina’s Thom Tillis and Ted Budd give the matter careful consideration.
Investing in Public Safety for North Carolinians
North Carolinians and the world were shocked to see the footage depicting Iryna Zarutska’s murder. Let me be clear: Her killer should not have been on that train. As legislators return to Raleigh this month, leadership expects to present a package with reforms that aim to prevent tragedies like this from happening again.
John Hood: Yes, We Can Stop the Fire
RALEIGH — I had strong political disagreements with Turning Point USA founder Charlie Kirk, on both style and substance — and I mourn his death, deem it an indefensible crime, and fear its consequences.
Governor Stein Thanks Secretary Joey Hopkins for His Years of Public Service, Welcomes Daniel Johnson as New Secretary of Transportation
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein honored North Carolina Department of Transportation Secretary Joey Hopkins for his decades of service to the State of North Carolina and announced the appointment of Navy veteran and current NCDOT Deputy Secretary and General Counsel Daniel Johnson as secretary. Hopkins will retire as Secretary of Transportation on October 1, and Johnson will take over the role.
Governor Stein Announces Standing Orders to Increase Access to COVID-19 Vaccines
(RALEIGH) To increase access to safe and effective COVID-19 vaccines for those who so choose, Governor Josh Stein earlier today directed the State Health Director, Dr. Larry Greenblatt, to issue Standing Orders if, in his medical judgment, it advances the public health. Dr. Greenblatt, North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) Chief Medical Officer and State Health Director, has now issued Standing Orders that allow seniors 65 years or older and adults over 18 years who meet certain criteria to get a COVID-19 vaccine at a pharmacy without having to get a prescription from a provider.
Barber Named as New Director of the Office of Victim Compensation Services
RALEIGH, N.C. - The North Carolina Department of Public Safety this week promoted Diane Barber as the new director of the Office of Victim Compensation Services.
Stein urges Congress to extend ACA premium tax credits
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein called on Congress to extend the Affordable Care Act (ACA)’s enhanced premium tax credits beyond December 31, 2025, to protect North Carolinians from skyrocketing health care costs. Without congressional action, 157,000 North Carolinians will become uninsured and another 888,000 will see their health care premiums double.
John Hood: Leaders Badly Mishandled Charlotte Killing
RALEIGH — Long before the release of a video graphically depicting Iryna Zarutska being stabbed to death on a Charlotte train, state and local leaders should have publicly mourned her death and expressed outrage at so appalling a crime. Now they’re paying the price.
Op-Ed: North Carolina's Zen governor
The governor of North Carolina earns an annual salary of a little over $200,000 per year. While it’s only about a fifth or less of what the average partner in a big law firm can expect to bring home and a fiftieth what the football coach at the state’s flagship university rakes in, it’s still good money. In a state where the median household income is around only a third of that amount and millions subsist at or below the poverty line, for most people, getting a job with a 200k salary would feel like winning the lottery.
John Hood: Test Scores Show Modest Improvement
RALEIGH — Test scores are up for North Carolina’s public-school students — a welcome development, although the news isn’t all good.
Governor Stein Announces Superior Court Appointment
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced the following judicial appointment:
Bottom Line with Brad: Cryptocurrency
I bet each of you reading this has a piece of paper that you are certain is worth something. It’s about two and half inches wide and 6 inches long and is made of a cotton and linen blend. It’s green and has all sorts of symbols on it that probably need a lot of explanation.
Governor Stein Hosts Australia’s Ambassador to the United States, Highlights Strong Economic Relationship
(RALEIGH) Yesterday Governor Josh Stein hosted the Australian Ambassador to the United States, Dr. Kevin Rudd AC, and highlighted the strong relationship between North Carolina and Australia.