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.

Governor Josh Stein Hosts Roundtable on Medical Debt Relief Highlighting Benefits for Millions of North Carolinians

(RALEIGH) Today Governor Josh Stein hosted a roundtable discussion in Greensboro to hear from advocates, faith leaders, practitioners, and patients about the burden of living with medical debt and how relief aids North Carolina families and the economy. In October, Governor Stein announced that the state’s medical debt relief program had erased more than $6.5 billion in medical debt for more than 2.5 million North Carolinians over the past year. 

Op-Ed: Main Street Depositor Protection Act a poor plan to protect main street

In addition to my role as State Senator for North Carolina’s 35th district in the State General Assembly, I am also a small business owner, helping run my family-owned business, Johnson Insurance Management. As both a State Senator and small business owner, I want to speak out in opposition to proposed federal legislation that claims to be in the interest of small business owners like me and many others across North Carolina but, in reality, only benefits big businesses.

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. 

Budd Publishes Op-Ed in The Hill, Demanding American Sanctions on CCP Officials Responsible for Religious Persecution

Washington, D.C. — U.S. Senator Ted Budd (R-N.C.) published an op-ed in The Hill entitled, “China’s crackdown on religious freedom demands American sanctions,” arguing for strict American sanctions to hold Chinese Communist Party officials accountable for their repeated record of brutality toward religious minorities. Senator Budd’s op-ed follows the largest the reported crackdown on practicing Christians in China since 2018 that occurred earlier this month. 

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.