Last night, Governor Stein stood before the General Assembly to deliver his first State of the State address, reflecting on the resilience of North Carolinians in the face of Hurricane Helene's devastation. Stein's remarks, prepared for his address, were detailed in a release shared by the Governor's office. Key points of his vision for the future included supporting small businesses, investing in education, and extending health care coverage.
In the wake of Hurricane Helene's damage to western North Carolina, Stein spotlighted the community’s strength through individuals like Avery County resident Ashley Cook and her cousin Freddy Carpenter, who took immediate action to clear roads and aid their neighbors. Despite Ashley being unable to attend the address due to illness, Governor Stein emphasized that "the state of our state is strong – North Carolina strong!", a sentiment hailed in his prepared remarks. The Governor also outlined steps already taken to aid recovery, such as streamlining processes for those affected, reopening roads, and providing grants to organizations such as Baptists on Mission and Habitat for Humanity.
Furthermore, Stein addressed economic initiatives including offers of $35 million in grants to impacted small businesses through partnered efforts with the Dogwood Health Trust and the Duke Endowment. This measure aims to prevent permanent closures that often plague small businesses post-disaster. As testimonies to these efforts, the Governor cited the owners of Chimney Rock Gemstone Mine, Matt and Michelle Banz, who are working towards a summer reopening with the help of a small business grant. Despite the headway, Governor Stein acknowledged that "many, many more are still waiting for help" and urged the General Assembly to pass a $500 million western North Carolina recovery bill promptly.
The Governor's agenda also included workforce development proposals to double apprenticeships, expand access to high-demand sector credentials, and offer free community college for students in these sectors. Stein announced plans for creating a Council on Workforce and Apprenticeships to bring together community colleges, public schools, and local businesses to achieve these workforce goals. Touching on public education, Stein proposed a significant public school bond and expressed intent to boost teacher pay to the highest starting salaries in the southeast. He praised North Carolina's teachers and law enforcement officers and proposed salary increases in recognition of their sacrifices.
Amidst the ceremonial acknowledgments and policy outlines, Governor Stein also highlighted the need to defend Medicaid against potential cuts at the federal level, maintaining that we must "choose North Carolina's children and families every time.”
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