Raleigh, NC - Two prominent pro-business voting record analyses have rated Representative John Bell (R-Wayne) as one of the top state lawmakers supporting job creation in North Carolina.
All in State Government
Governor Stein Announces Boards and Commissions Appointments
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein announced appointments to boards and commissions.
NC Legislative Leaders Reject Gov. Stein’s Call to Session as Unconstitutional, Unnecessary
Raleigh, NC — Today, North Carolina House Speaker Destin Hall and Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger jointly informed Governor Josh Stein via letter that the state legislature will not reconvene next week in response to his call for an extra session.
Statement on Speaker Hall and President Pro Tempore Berger’s Refusal to Fund Medicaid
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein released the following statement on Speaker Destin Hall and President Pro Tempore Phil Berger’s failure to fund Medicaid:
John Hood: Treasurer Seeks to Reform Health Plan
RALEIGH — Pointing to a projected $1 billion budget hole in North Carolina’s health plan for teachers and other public employees by 2027, State Treasurer Brad Briner and his team are implementing an array of program changes and premium hikes. Their response may not be popular among beneficiaries — but reform is essential if the state is to continue providing health benefits at a reasonable cost.
Governor Stein Volunteers at Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina, Presents $3.34 Million Donation As SNAP Benefits Stall
(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein and Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt joined state and elected local officials in volunteering at the Food Bank of Central & Eastern North Carolina as federal food assistance continues to stall. During his visit, Governor Stein presented a $3.34 million check from the State of North Carolina, part of his ongoing initiative to surge public and private donations to food banks.
North Carolina Prepares for Workforce Pell, Expanding Access to Workforce Training Programs
(RALEIGH) Governor Josh Stein has directed the Governor’s Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships to make recommendations to effectively implement the newly created Workforce Pell grants to help North Carolina students take advantage of additional career training opportunities. The Council includes representatives of key stakeholders, including the North Carolina Department of Commerce, North Carolina Community College System, the University of North Carolina System, and North Carolina Independent Colleges and Universities.
Increasing Access to Care for Veterans in North Carolina
(RALEIGH) The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) today announced extended hours for NCServes and the launch of AskMeNC, two initiatives that expand access to care for North Carolina’s veterans and their families. These efforts strengthen the state’s coordinated network of support and underscore NCDHHS’s commitment to ensuring the more than 600,000 veterans who live in North Carolina have timely access to mental health care, housing, employment, and peer support services.
John Hood: Democratic Wave Crushes GOP Candidates
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.
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.
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.
John Hood: Low Debt Burden Aids North Carolina
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.
NC’s 1 million ACA enrollees set to see higher health care costs in 2026
Open enrollment starts Nov. 1. Higher premiums and expiring tax credits could combine for spikes in costs.
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):
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.
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?
Modernization to State Retiree System Scheduled to be Implemented in 2026
(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.
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.
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
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.