RALEIGH — Nonviolent protests have a venerable history in North Carolina and beyond. Violent protests — that is, riots — have an ignominious one. A broadly recognized distinction? You might think so. Alas, you’d be wrong.
All in State Government
Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
Governor Stein has appointed the following to the North Carolina Awards Committee:
Senate Committee to Consider Ban on Synthetic Hemp Products, Regulations for the Sale of Delta-9 Products and THC Drinks
Tomorrow, the N.C. Senate Health Care Committee will meet to consider a bill banning synthetic hemp products in the state and regulating the sale of delta-9 products, including drinks and gummies.
Second Round of Hurricane Relief Cashflow Loans
(Raleigh, N.C.) — The Department of State Treasurer (DST) has notified local governments of their second round of interest-free loans for Hurricane Helene relief. This round of Cashflow Loans uses the remaining $34.4M provided by the legislature in the Disaster Recovery Act of 2024.
John Hood: Carolina Congressmen Tell Off Constituents
RALEIGH — Ever written your congressman? I have. I always get a prompt and cordial, if bland, reply. Back in 1988, I actually spent a few weeks as a Capitol Hill intern reading and drafting responses to constituent correspondence. I’ve never written more boring prose (although longtime readers of mine might well disagree).
Governor Stein Takes Action on Several Bills (video included)
Governor Josh Stein signed six bills into law today, including measures to modernize state investments, support veteran law enforcement officers, and expand access to social work services. From improving pension investment flexibility to easing licensure for out-of-state social workers, these new laws aim to strengthen public services and workforce capacity across North Carolina.
Governor Stein Urges Senate Leaders to Support NC Economy By Protecting IRA Tax Credits
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Stein urged Senate Majority Leader John Thune, Senate Finance Committe Chair Mike Crapo, and North Carolina Senators Ted Budd and Thom Tillis to reconsider the U.S. House of Representative’s efforts to end the energy and manufacturing tax credits that the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022 created. These tax credits have helped North Carolina emerge as a top state for clean energy business investment.
NC Senate Passes Proposals Supporting Trump Admin's Illegal Immigration Policies
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, North Carolina Senate Republicans voted to support two immigration enforcement bills, sending one to Gov. Josh Stein for his consideration and returning the second to the House for approval.
Measure Reining in Unaccountable Bureaucracy and Bringing Transparency to Rulemaking Process Passes NC Senate
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate approved a bill that takes critical steps to rein in costly bureaucracy and bring much-needed transparency to our state's rulemaking process.
Bill Supporting Veteran Law Enforcement Officers Clears NC Senate Unanimously
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, the North Carolina Senate unanimously passed House Bill 50, which enables law enforcement officers to stay on the force longer without reducing their retirement benefits. Before the Senate session, House and Senate leaders were joined by law enforcement officers from across the state to recognize and honor their dedication to protecting our citizens.
John Hood: Supply-Side Policies Boost North Carolina
RALEIGH — After North Carolina conservatives won control of the General Assembly in 2010, they began a systematic application of supply-side principles to state policy. It’s been a phenomenal success — although I admit others might disagree if their definition of “supply side” differs from mine.
Governor Stein Urges the U.S. Senate to Protect the Health and Well-Being of North Carolinians and Oppose Cuts to SNAP and Medicaid
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein today sent a letter to U.S. Senators Tillis and Budd laying out the consequences of the U.S. House reconciliation bill for North Carolina families, including cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP). That bill, along with impending expiration of health care marketplace subsidies, could cause nearly half a million North Carolinians to lose their health care.
Governor Stein Promotes Safe Gun Storage During NC S.A.F.E. Week of Action
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein joined Deputy Secretary William Lassiter, Elizabeth City Police Chief Eddie Graham Jr, and gun safety proponents to highlight NC S.A.F.E.’s (Secure All Firearms Effectively) Week of Action and call for safe firearm storage.
Governor Stein and Emergency Management Officials Provide Updates at the Start of Hurricane Season, Urge North Carolinians to Stay Safe
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein, Director of Emergency Management Will Ray, Attorney General Jeff Jackson, First Sergeant Chris Knox of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, and Colonel Patrick Henderson of the North Carolina Army National Guard held a briefing to provide updates and guidance at the start of hurricane season. Governor Stein urged North Carolinians to have a plan in place in case of emergency and shared resources to help people prepare and stay safe.
North Carolina House Honors Senator Elizabeth Dole
Raleigh, NC — Today, the North Carolina House of Representatives formally honored former U.S. Senator Elizabeth Dole for her extraordinary lifetime of public service. Senator Dole was in attendance for the tribute, which recognized her decades of leadership and enduring impact on both North Carolina and the nation.
John Hood: Put Your Tax Cards on the Table
RALEIGH — The North Carolina House and Senate have enacted very different versions of a 2025-27 state budget, even though two plans would authorize virtually the same amount of spending. The differences are so vast, in fact, that some insiders predict no comprehensive budget will pass this session.
Governor Stein Highlights Need to Expand Housing Access, Ease Burden of High Housing Costs in North Carolina
Today Governor Josh Stein joined state and local elected officials, business leaders, and housing experts to discuss strategies to expand access to affordable housing of all types in North Carolina and ease the burden of high housing costs in North Carolina.
John Hood: Requiring Work for Benefits Is Wise
RALEIGH — There are good reasons to criticize the “Big, Beautiful Bill” the U.S. House just sent to the Senate. But its imposition of work requirements for able-bodied recipients of Medicaid — and more-comprehensive work requirements for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) — are not among them.
North Carolina's April County and Area Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) decreased in all 100 counties in April 2025. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 4.9 percent while Currituck and Camden Counties each had the lowest at 2.7 percent.
Governor Stein Statement on Revised State Revenue Forecast
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on the Consensus Forecasting Group’s revised consensus general fund revenue forecast: