Democratic Governor Josh Stein announced the expansion of the Helene recovery temporary jobs program. The program provides funds to create jobs that focus on recovery efforts in areas affected by Hurricane Helene which made landfall in September and devastated western North Carolina.
Stein prioritized housing survivors, supporting businesses, and strengthening infrastructure in the mountain regions. He also shared stories of local residents he had met, including the operator of an AM radio station in Haywood County, a Watauga County business owner, and a McDowell County restaurateur.
In his first few days in office, N.C. Attorney General Jeff Jackson is tackling landlords over illegal price-fixing. According to the state Attorney General’s office, AG Jackon is suing six landlords for illegally working together and with the software company RealPage to raise rent prices for North Carolina residents.
Announced earlier this month, unpaid medical bills will no longer appear on credit reports due to a final rule by the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. This move will ensure that Americans are not denied access to credit for home mortgages, car loans, or small business loans.
“Unfortunately, North Carolina’s minimum wage has long lagged behind what it actually takes to get by and work has lost its promise of prosperity,” according to the NC Justice Center.
Durham County will randomly select 125 families to receive $750 monthly for a year. In addition, participants will receive $100 a month to complete surveys so researchers can analyze the results.
With over 12,000 residents in the region lacking safe housing, Gov. Josh Stein’s initial executive order temporarily suspends procurement regulations to accelerate the availability of temporary housing.
“It’s not just the crop loss. It’s the land,” said Karen Blaedow, Henderson County’s horticultural agent. “Repairing the land is going to be the most costly part of the recovery.”
Knowing that they have lost their veto-proof supermajority for the next session, Republicans are attempting one last power grab at the expense of North Carolinians who need help putting their lives back together after Helene.
Last month, President Biden requested over $100B in emergency disaster aid to help Americans impacted by Hurricane Helene and other natural disasters. In NC, the Republican-led NCGA has only approved $877M in relief aid, equal to about 1.6% of the estimated total damage of $53B.