Governor Josh Stein, in his first inaugural address, pledged unwavering support for western North Carolina’s recovery from Hurricane Helene, promising to rebuild “for as long as it takes.” Stein outlined a broad agenda and called for bipartisan cooperation with the Republican-led legislature.
“Today we must overcome the unprecedented storm that ravaged our state, and the everyday struggles that impact our neighbors,” Stein said. “And we will.”
Speaking in the Capitol Building’s House chamber under the theme “North Carolina Strong,” Stein highlighted the state’s resilience in responding to both past and present challenges. The event, initially planned as an outdoor ceremony with a block party, was moved indoors due to inclement weather.
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.
“We have so much more work to do,” Stein emphasized. “And I am committed to doing it arm-in-arm with our friends in western North Carolina, for as long as it takes.”
Stein, a Democrat succeeding Roy Cooper, has made Helene recovery his top priority. He retained key officials from Cooper’s administration and formed a new team within his office to lead the recovery efforts.
In addition to recovery initiatives, Stein advocated for expanded pre-kindergarten programs, higher salaries for public school teachers, strengthened law enforcement, and measures to combat drug trafficking.
As with his predecessor, Stein faces a legislature dominated by Republican majorities, a dynamic that has often led to vetoed conservative bills being overridden.
In his address, Stein urged lawmakers to focus on collaboration and shared goals. He cited past bipartisan achievements, such as Medicaid expansion under Governor Cooper and kindergarten-for-all initiatives under Republican Governor Jim Holshouser.
“We have real problems to solve, and we do not have time to settle petty political scores or fight divisive culture wars,” Stein said. “I want to stand with you as we fight for our people, not with each other.”
Republican leaders have shown cautious optimism about working with Stein, particularly on Helene recovery. Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger acknowledged Stein’s changes to recovery efforts, noting the need to improve the state’s hurricane recovery model after previous challenges with the NCORR program.
“I haven’t had a chance to talk with (Stein), but it appears that the steps he’s taken is something of an acknowledgement that the NCORR model is not the model for us to continue to go with,” Berger said. “I think there will be an effort to try to figure out exactly what it looks like. That seems to me to be the most pressing issue we’ve got.”
The true test of bipartisan cooperation will come later this month when lawmakers begin the 2025 legislative session in earnest.
