Inpatient services and autism treatment will see cuts of up to 10%, while coverage for GLP-1 drugs for weight loss will cease.
All in State Government
North Carolina State Health Plan Premiums Finalized for 2026
The State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees met today to set premiums for 2026. State Health Plan members include teachers, state employees and retirees. This is the final step in the three-pronged effort to provide financial stability as the Plan faces a half a billion-dollar deficit.
John Hood: Democrats Will Soon Fall to Third Place
RALEIGH — The likely Democratic nominee for North Carolina’s Senate race next year, former Gov. Roy Cooper, led likely Republican nominee Michael Whatley by six points in the first independent poll commissioned after the two men announced their campaigns last month.
NC General Assembly confirms statewide appointments to boards and commissions
The North Carolina General Assembly has confirmed hundreds of appointments to boards and commissions across the state. The selections include leadership roles in education, transportation, public safety, and economic development.
John Hood: Germans Played Role in Carolina Revolt
RALEIGH — As Americans continue to celebrate our country’s semiquincentennial — the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence and the war for American independence — I will continue to highlight the pivotal role that North Carolinians played in these historic events.
Ideas for helping NC child care industry are solidifying, but a top suggestion faces headwinds
Halee Hartley is the owner of a preschool with three locations in Boone and has a master’s degree in educational psychology. Kid Cove does not bring in enough money for Harley to pay herself a salary, so she works a second job as a property manager.
Auditor recommends splitting off North Carolina DMV from Department of Transportation
North Carolina State Auditor Dave Boliek called for the separation of the North Carolina Department of Motor Vehicles from the Department of Transportation in an audit report released Monday.
Governor Stein Takes Action on Three Bills
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein signed two bills into law and vetoed one bill.
Governor Stein Underscores Commitment to Supporting Military Families, Joins Blue Star Families’ “Do Your Part” Initiative
(RALEIGH) Today at Fayetteville Technical Community College, Governor Josh Stein announced that North Carolina is becoming a Do Your Part State, a joint initiative between Blue Star Families and the National Governors Association. Recognizing that community support for military families is crucial to military recruiting and readiness, this initiative helps states identify, prioritize, and implement the most effective policies and programs to support military families.
N.C. Schools Issue Bonds in N.C. Thanks to Policy Change
An effort to keep state dollars in North Carolina came to fruition today at the N.C. Capital Facilities Finance Agency (NCCFFA) meeting. This group, chaired by State Treasurer Brad Briner, adopted new guidelines earlier this year aimed at making it easier for nonprofit institutions, particularly schools, to issue bonds in North Carolina. Today, two schools used the flexibility afforded by that policy change to bring projects before the NCCFFA and the Local Government Commission.
John Hood: Tariff Threats Hurt Carolina Workers
RALEIGH — Daimler Truck North America operates some of North Carolina’s largest manufacturing facilities, including a Freightliner truck plant in Mount Holly, a Freightliner and Western Star plant in Cleveland, a components and logistics center in Gastonia, and a Thomas Built Buses plant in High Point. It employs some 6,800 North Carolinians in the Charlotte area alone.
John Hood: Three Policy Trends Work Against Democrats
RALEIGH — I don’t know for certain who will win North Carolina’s U.S. Senate race next year — and neither do you.
NC House Huddle: Friday, Aug 1
NC House Huddle newsletter for the week of August first.
Governor Stein Announces District Attorney Appointment
Governor Josh Stein announced the following District Attorney appointment:
John Hood: Tax Reform Needs a Clear Goal
RALEIGH — While the North Carolina House and Senate continue to discuss how — or whether — to resolve their budget dispute and enact a new fiscal framework for the next two fiscal years, now is an excellent time for tax reformers in both chambers to spell out precisely what they hope to accomplish.
DAVE Act Passes Legislature, State Auditor Boliek "Fully On Board"
RALEIGH, N.C. — Today, the North Carolina General Assembly passed House Bill 125, “Continuing Budget Operations.” The bill includes “The DAVE Act” provision, which requires the North Carolina Office of the State Auditor to establish a “Division of Accountability, Value, and Efficiency.” The division will assess the continued need for each state agency and whether cuts need to be made.
North Carolina's June County and Area Employment Figures Released
Raleigh, N.C. — Unemployment rates (not seasonally adjusted) increased in 92 counties in June 2025, decreased in four, and remained unchanged in four. Edgecombe County had the highest unemployment rate at 5.8 percent while Currituck County had the lowest at 3.1 percent.
Senate Passes Bill to Make North Carolina the First State to Opt into President Trump's Signature School Choice Program
Raleigh, N.C. – The North Carolina Senate approved a bill today that would make North Carolina the first state in the nation to opt into President Donald Trump's school choice tax credit program as outlined in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act.
VETO-RAMA: Senate Republicans Break Override Record with 12 Stein Vetoes
Raleigh, N.C. – Today, Senate Republicans successfully overrode 12 of Gov. Josh Stein's vetoes, the most vetoes overridden by the Senate in a single day.
Governor Stein Spotlights Teachers, Law Enforcement, and Medicaid Enrollees Who Need a Budget Passed
(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Josh Stein highlighted working North Carolinians to urge the General Assembly to prioritize passing a budget and expanding opportunity for all North Carolinians.