North Carolina Governor Josh Stein revealed his state spending plan, launching his first budget battle since taking office. The proposal includes more money for schools, Hurricane Helene recovery, and targeted tax cuts for working families.
Democrats in the North Carolina legislature are attempting to raise the state’s minimum wage which has not been increased in over 15 years. Representatives Allison Dahl (D-District 11), Aisha Dew (D-District 111), Bryan Cohn (D-District 32), and Marcia Morey (D-District 30) filed House Bill 353, titled the “Fair Minimum Wage Act”, would not just raise the minimum wage once but continue to raise it as time goes on.
The theme of Stein’s speech was “North Carolina Strong,” a motto the newly elected governor has used to rally North Carolinians who are in the midst of a hurricane rebuild, rising costs, and deep federal funding cuts. He recognized several honored guests from across the state, leaders in fields such as education and law enforcement that Stein believes have embodied his view of “North Carolina Strong.”
“Losing this support is devastating, not merely because of the financial setback, but because it directly affects an essential lifeline connecting agriculture, regional economic well-being, and the health of WNC families,” Claire Neal, CEO of MANNA FoodBank, told Asheville Citizen-Times.
In Raleigh, hundreds of scientists, educators, and supporters warned about the generations-long impact of gutting scientific and medical research.
Senator Thom Tillis (R-NC) recently delivered a floor speech in defense of Elon Musk and the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). In front of a printed image of a SpaceX explosion, Tillis said that “innovation requires pushing the envelope and taking calculated risks.”
The move will impact more than just the 10,000 workers the agency employs and the humanitarian work it does overseas. North Carolina is the fourth-largest recipient of USAID funding in the United States, with state-based organizations receiving nearly $1 billion a year. That funding helps bolster a robust global health sector that adds $31.9 billion every year to North Carolina’s economy and employs 120,000 people.
Together, China, Mexico, and Canada represent 45% of all of North Carolina’s international trade– a $72 billion economy. The proposed tariffs would not only make North Carolina goods less competitive in these markets, but they would also increase costs for NC consumers who rely on imports from these countries.
The freeze would result in North Carolina losing billions of dollars in funding for disaster relief, public schools, and state agencies. Though the order was temporarily blocked by a federal judge, Rep. Deborah Ross explained that it has left state and federal officials confused on how to proceed. She remains hopeful that it will not be allowed to pass but expressed the importance of understanding what is at risk.
The $30 million public-private partnership with Duke Endowment and Dogwood Health Trust will supply businesses with grants of up to $50,000.