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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.

Nov 10

Nov 10 Private Partners Amplify the State’s Efforts to Address Hunger in North Carolina, Totaling Nearly $22 Million

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced that organizations across North Carolina have stepped up to donate nearly $4 million to fight hunger in North Carolina. These donations follow last week’s announcement that the State of North Carolina and other partners would grant $18 million to fight hunger across the state.

Nov 7

Nov 7 Governor Stein Calls Extra Session to Fund Medicaid

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein highlighted the stories of Medicaid patients and providers while calling an extra session of the North Carolina General Assembly on November 17, 2025, to fund Medicaid. Governor Stein was joined by disability advocates Demi Eckhoff and Betsy MacMichael and Dr. Karen Smith, all of whom shared the impact of Medicaid on their lives.

Nov 6

Nov 6 John Hood: Low Debt Burden Aids North Carolina

Federal Government, State Government, Politics

RALEIGH — Because I’m a fiscal conservative, you might think I reflexively oppose government borrowing. You’d be mistaken. I believe that public finance and toxicology share a common rule: the dose makes the poison.

Nov 4

Nov 4 NC’s 1 million ACA enrollees set to see higher health care costs in 2026

NC Political News

Open enrollment starts Nov. 1. Higher premiums and expiring tax credits could combine for spikes in costs.

Nov 3

Nov 3 Speaker Hall Statement on Rep. Brockman's Resignation

Raleigh, NC — North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall issued the following statement on the resignation of Rep. Cecil Brockman (D-Guilford):

Oct 31

Oct 31 Governor Stein Announces Nearly $18 Million in Contributions for North Carolina Food Assistance

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced that the State of North Carolina will grant $10 million to local food banks across the state. The State is joined by AmeriHealth Caritas, which will give $5 million, The David & Nicole Tepper Foundation, which will accelerate $2.5 million from a previously announced $10 million gift, and other donors. These announcements come as food banks prepare for an influx of need following the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)’s decision to suspend the distribution of Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) benefits for November.

Oct 29

Oct 29 John Hood: North Carolina Still Isn’t Very Urban

RALEIGH — According to the latest count by the U.S. Census Bureau, North Carolina has added yet another metropolitan area. Has our state become an urban colossus?

Oct 29

Oct 29 Modernization to State Retiree System Scheduled to be Implemented in 2026

State Government

(Raleigh, N.C.) — The North Carolina Retirement Systems (NCRS) is modernizing and improving the user experience. Beginning in early 2026, the ORBIT member portal will launch a streamlined, single sign-on (SSO) login powered by ID.me — a trusted digital identity platform used by federal and state agencies nationwide. 

Oct 29

Oct 29 Governor Stein, Secretary Lilley, EDPNC to Lead Multi-State Delegation at Southeast U.S./Japan Annual Meeting in Tokyo

(RALEIGH) This week, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein is leading the multi-state delegation at the Southeast United States (SEUS)/Japan Annual Joint Meeting in Tokyo, Japan. Governor Stein is joined by Department of Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley and EDPNC CEO Christopher Chung. The Governor will meet with Japanese business leaders and promote North Carolina as a top state for investment and partnership.

Oct 28

Oct 28 House Budget Gimmick Plunges State into Deficit Spending

Raleigh, N.C. – Last week, the N.C. House of Representatives forced the Senate to return four ineligible bills after nonpartisan staff attorneys determined they could not be considered under the General Assembly’s agreed-upon adjournment resolution. Beyond just being ineligible for consideration, the quartet of bills poses additional problems.

Attorney General Jeff Jackson Warns USDA Over Failure to Fund Food Assistance During Shutdown, Potentially Impacting Roughly 600,000 Children in North Carolina

Oct 27

Oct 27 Attorney General Jeff Jackson Warns USDA Over Failure to Fund Food Assistance During Shutdown, Potentially Impacting Roughly 600,000 Children in North Carolina

Federal Government, State Government, Politics, Health

RALEIGH – Today, Attorney General Jeff Jackson issued a formal warning to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) after the agency informed states that it may refuse to fund the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) during the ongoing federal government shutdown. SNAP provides food assistance to low-income families, and any interruption would be devastating for North Carolina – 1.5 million people, including roughly 600,000 children, rely on it to eat.

Oct 27

Oct 27 John Hood: Technology Is Reshaping Policy and Politics

RALEIGH — Having spent nearly 40 years analyzing and writing about North Carolina politics and public policy, I often find myself placing today’s challenges and controversies into historical context.

Oct 27

Oct 27 NC House Huddle: New Congressional Map Approved

This week, the General Assembly passed a new congressional map, updating the boundaries of North Carolina’s 1st and 3rd districts. On Wednesday, House Majority Leader Brenden Jones delivered a floor speech calling out radical blue state Democrats—like California Gov. Gavin Newsom—for trying to tilt control of Congress in their favor and undermine President Trump’s America First agenda.

Oct 24

Oct 24 More Republican Dysfunction: Senate Refuses Receipt of House Bills

Opinion, Politics, State Government

After wasting hundreds of thousands of taxpayer dollars to rig congressional maps, the House passed a few bills that were dead on arrival in the Senate. But Senate leadership took the extraordinary step of outright refusing to accept the bills from the House because they were so outside the bounds of regular order.

Oct 24

Oct 24 Governor Stein Takes Action on One Bill

(RALEIGH) Today, Governor Stein announced he has signed one bill into law.

Oct 24

Oct 24 Senate Rules Chairman Returns Ineligible Bills to House

Raleigh, N.C. – This morning, the Senate Rules Chairman was forced to return four ineligible bills to the House of Representatives for violating the General Assembly's agreed-upon adjournment resolution for the October session. The Chairman’s ruling was confirmed by the Senate Principal Clerk’s Office and nonpartisan central staff attorneys.

Oct 24

Oct 24 As Governor Stein Plays Politics, House Protects Patients and Funds Medicaid

Raleigh, NC — As of this week, the North Carolina House of Representatives has passed three clean, stand-alone bills to fund the state’s Medicaid rebase and protect patients from Governor Josh Stein’s unnecessary, politically-motivated rate cuts. State health officials confirm that any of the three proposals would lead the administration to drop their cuts.

Oct 24

Oct 24 Governor Stein Announces More Than $25 Million in Grants to Promote Safer Roads