In Raleigh, North Carolina’s newly elected Democratic Governor, Josh Stein, gave his inaugural address to a joint session of the General Assembly on Wednesday evening. Themes from his campaign and early tenure were central to his speech, emphasizing support for Hurricane Helene victims, affordable living expenses, and bipartisan achievements. Stein called on legislators from North Carolina, the ninth-largest state, to collaborate effectively and steer clear of the divisive politics he associates with Washington, D.C.
“We do not need to be pulled into those political games,” Stein expressed from the House floor towards the end of his 42-minute address, which was broadcast statewide. “We can create something better, something forward-looking right here in North Carolina, and we can do it together.” Stein, who served as the state’s attorney general for eight years, became governor by defeating the former Lt. Governor Mark Robinson in November. This victory continued Democratic control of the Executive Mansion, although Republicans have ruled the General Assembly since 2011 and are currently one seat short of veto-proof control.
A key focus in Stein’s speech was the pursuit of common ground with Republican lawmakers. Addressing Hurricane Helene recovery remains Stein’s top priority. Following his swearing-in on January 1st, he has made frequent trips to the mountainous regions, heavily impacted by last fall’s floods, which resulted in over 100 deaths and nearly $60 billion in damages and required recovery efforts. Stein acknowledged progress made but emphasized the ongoing needs that persist.
Stein urged legislators to expedite sending him legislation for additional Hurricane Helene relief funds, which he pledged to sign immediately. However, current proposals by House and Senate Republicans propose giving nearly half of the $1.1 billion that Stein requested last month. Differences exist over assistance for agricultural losses and whether to include funding for delayed housing reconstruction from previous hurricanes in eastern North Carolina. The final relief package may also cover business infrastructure repairs.
“We should ensure people can return to their homes, restore roads and bridges, and keep businesses operational with their workforce intact,” Stein stressed to lawmakers. “We need that funding now, even sooner if possible.”
In the broader context of Stein’s governance, the ongoing initiatives from President Donald Trump’s administration and Congress naturally filtered into his speech. Despite being a frequent critic of Trump, Stein acknowledged his coordination efforts with the president, his Cabinet, and North Carolina’s congressional delegation to secure additional funds for Helene relief.
Moreover, Stein encouraged Republicans to join efforts in shielding Medicaid from possible congressional cuts, citing the bipartisan 2023 state law that expanded Medicaid to include hundreds of thousands of adults. Looking ahead, Stein is preparing to unveil his state budget proposal for the biennium starting July 1.
This proposal considers a forecast predicting a revenue shortfall of $825 million spanning from the next fiscal year through 2026-2027, due to upcoming tax cuts. Stein pointed out the challenges of finding necessary funds for affordable housing, child care improvements, and middle-class tax reductions if these cuts proceed, particularly concerning both corporate and high-income individual taxes.
“What’s our priority?” Stein questioned. “Will we favor out-of-state shareholders, or invest in the families of North Carolina? We cannot afford to do both.”
Conversely, Republicans anticipate crafting and submitting their own budget to Stein, downplaying the projected revenue shortfall, citing past tax reductions that boosted the state’s economic and fiscal outlook overall.
The Republican response, led by House Speaker Destin Hall—who succeeded current U.S. Representative Tim Moore—mirrored agreement with Stein on the importance of Helene’s recovery. Hall acknowledged the road ahead and the necessity to transcend petty partisanship for the sake of affected communities. Nevertheless, Hall maintained the GOP’s commitment to their 14-year agenda that includes tax and regulation cuts, endorsement of federal immigration laws and policing, and facilitating private school attendance through scholarships for K-12 students.
“We’ve discovered how to enact practical policies that drive growth and ensure community safety,” Hall asserted.
