Governor Josh Stein has vetoed several bills that, if passed, would have an impact on North Carolina’s charter schools, environment, and the balance of political power.
The NC League of Conservation Voters & BlueGreen Alliance gathered outside of Tillis’ Greensboro office to highlight the economic impacts of erasing the Inflation Reduction Act tax credits, particularly emphasizing the impacts affecting North Carolinians’ jobs.
NC’s first Buc-ee’s is expected to feature a 74,000-square-foot store, 652 parking spaces, and 120 gas pumps. Despite the Mebane City Council hearing hours of public comments that were mostly against Buc-ees, the council approved the project back in January 2024. The mega gas station would consume over 23,000 gallons of water daily, and the site sits within a mile of 13 known underground fuel leaks.
“FEMA’s denial of our appeal will cost North Carolina taxpayers potentially hundreds of millions of dollars to clean up out west,” Stein explained. “The money we have to pay toward debris removal will mean less money toward supporting our small businesses, rebuilding downtown infrastructure, repairing our water and sewer systems, and other critical needs.”
Now the company is looking to lawmakers to avoid having to face more consequences for their pollution of North Carolina waters. This legislative session, lawmakers are considering bills to hold polluters accountable, including House Bill 569, entitled “PFAS Pollution and Polluter Liability” and Senate Bill 666, the “2025 Water Safety Act”.
Last week, the Sierra Club released a report on the harmful impacts of a proposed pipeline project for numerous communities in North Carolina.
As North Carolina continues to recover from the devastation of Hurricane Helene and battles ongoing wildfires across the state, the Trump administration—along with Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency—has set its sights on slashing federal spending, with the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) as its latest target, according to WECT.
“When we invest in our infrastructure, we build a stronger and safer state for every North Carolinian,” said Governor Josh Stein in a press release. “This funding will help ensure more North Carolinians have access to safe and clean drinking water and will strengthen our communities for decades to come.”
Following a judge’s ruling that halted state-imposed discharge limits, Asheboro has dramatically increased its release of the chemical into the Cape Fear River watershed, raising concerns for downstream communities.
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.