RALEIGH — In 1984, the first year I was eligible to vote, North Carolina had 11 congressional districts. Most were hotly contested by the majority-party Democrats and up-and-coming Republicans. (Yes, it was a different era.)
All in Politics
Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships Continues to Advance Workforce Opportunities in North Carolina
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships released a report identifying 30 strategies designed to advance North Carolina’s workforce and expand access to good jobs with good wages. When implemented, these proposed strategies will help the state attain the 11 workforce goals that the Council recommended in June.
Governor Stein Announces Superior Court Appointment
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced that he has appointed Alicia Marks Flowers to the Superior Court for Judicial District 14B, serving part of Cumberland County. Flowers is filling the vacancy created after the Honorable Gail Adams retired.
Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced appointments to boards and commissions.
New Film Grants Support Productions Shooting in North Carolina in Late 2025
(RALEIGH) Two television/streaming series and an independent feature-length film have been approved for North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grants. The productions, estimated to be creating more than 4,900 jobs in total, are expected to spend more than $113 million during their production windows, supporting North Carolina film crew professionals and small businesses servicing the productions across much of the state.
Senators Budd and Cruz Introduce Common-Sense Legislation to Increase Affordable Healthcare Coverage Options for Americans
Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senators Ted Budd (R-N.C.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) introduced the Competition and Openness in Markets to Promote Efficiency, Transparency, and Enhanced Affordability (COMPETE) Act today. The bill would amend the Public Health Service Act to extend the maximum duration of short-term, limited-duration insurance (STLDI), and includes a renewal guarantee provision that allows consumers to purchase STLDI plans for an extended period of time.
Report Highlights Positive Impacts of Cell Phone-Free Classrooms
(RALEIGH) A report issued this week by Governor Stein’s Advisory Council for Student Safety & Well-Being formed in April 2025 relates early success stories from public school districts that have implemented policies to make classrooms cell phone-free.
NC House Responds to Gov. Stein’s Reversal of Unnecessary Medicaid Cuts
Raleigh, NC — The North Carolina House of Representatives today responded to Governor Josh Stein’s announcement that his administration will reverse their disastrous and unnecessary Medicaid rate cuts.
John Hood: Washington Can’t Come to the Rescue
RALEIGH — North Carolina needs $120 billion worth of new investment in water, stormwater, and sewer systems, according to a recent report from the U.S. Water Alliance. I suspect that number is on the high side — the alliance represents localities, public authorities, and companies and labor unions with a financial interest in infrastructure spending — but I don’t doubt the existence of unmet needs across our state.
Governor Stein Calls on Secretary McMahon to Classify Health Care Programs as Professional Degrees
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein urged Secretary of Education Linda McMahon to reverse last month’s decision that would make it more difficult for people to pursue many professional and graduate-level health care degree programs. Governor Stein is committed to strengthening the health care workforce pipeline so North Carolinians can be healthy and safe.
State Auditor Issues New Report on State’s Finances
RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Office of the State Auditor (OSA) has released a new report summary highlighting key aspects of North Carolina’s overall financial health. The report was created from financial statements audited by OSA in the State of North Carolina’s Annual Comprehensive Financial Report (ACFR).
Op-Ed: North Carolina Farmers Need Real Reform to Restore Fertilizer Affordability
Agriculture remains one of North Carolina’s strongest economic pillars, supporting livelihoods from small family operations to major agribusinesses. But while crops, livestock, climate, and markets vary widely across the state, producers share one universal need: dependable access to affordable fertilizer. In recent years, that need has become harder to meet.
John Hood: Cherish Our Free State of North Carolina
RALEIGH — North Carolina isn’t quite First in Freedom. But over the past decade and a half, we’ve taken tremendous strides in the right direction.
Rep. Ager & Rep. Cervania Statement on House Oversight Hearing
Today the House Oversight Committee is returning to Raleigh in an environment where the Majority has returned no budget, despite their constitutional duty to do so, and has repudiated the Governor’s constitutional authority to convene a special session, which he did in the hopes the General Assembly could fully fund Medicaid.
Op-Ed: Final Word: What is Your Choice?
Over the past month, North Carolina has been confronted with a wave of immigration enforcement actions that left families frightened, educators overwhelmed, and entire school communities destabilized. The headlines have been loud, but the impact on our students has been far quieter, unfolding in classrooms, in counseling offices and at kitchen tables across our state. As I listened to educators and community leaders describe what they’re witnessing, it reminded me of my own—very different—experience.
Ross Files for Reelection to Fourth Term in NC’s 2nd Congressional District
Raleigh, N.C. — Congresswoman Deborah Ross filed for reelection to represent North Carolina’s Second Congressional District in the U.S. House of Representatives. She is running for her fourth term representing this seat, which includes most of Wake County. Prior to serving in this position, she represented Wake County for more than a decade in the General Assembly.
Governor Stein Celebrates Record Year of Job Announcements In North Carolina
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein held his latest NC Strong Update to celebrate economic development wins across North Carolina. Since the beginning of the year, Governor Stein, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, and the Economic Development Partnership have brought more than 33,000 jobs to North Carolina, a record-breaking year for job commitments.
Powering a more affordable future with data centers
North Carolina families are paying more for electricity every year, and many are wondering why their bills keep rising even as the reliability of our power system seems to lag behind. After traveling across the state and talking with residents, one thing is clear: people are tired of being asked to shoulder higher costs without seeing meaningful improvements.
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.
John Hood: State Tax Reform Remains on Track
RALEIGH — North Carolina has one of the best-performing economies in the country. We also have one of the country’s most competitive tax codes. That’s no coincidence. Tax reform had served our state well.