Governor Josh Stein announced on April 27 a series of budget recommendations aimed at building on North Carolina’s economic success and maintaining the state’s strength. In his monthly column, Stein emphasized investments in education, workforce development, public safety, and cost-of-living relief for families.
Stein said these measures are necessary to continue North Carolina’s record of job growth and economic development. He highlighted the importance of investing in people through education and opportunity, noting that “North Carolinians have achieved a lot to make us proud. We’re the top state for business, economic development, and workforce development, and we announced more jobs here last year than any year in history. We’re the #1 state where people from other states are moving. This success didn’t happen by accident. It reflects decades of thoughtful investment in people through education, infrastructure, and opportunity.”
The governor addressed concerns about school funding by pointing out that North Carolina ranks near the bottom nationally in per-student spending. “We must do better,” Stein said. He proposed raising teacher salaries to the highest level in the Southeast and eliminating pay plateaus while restoring master’s pay. His budget also includes increased funding for school safety initiatives, mental health staff, repairs to school facilities, free breakfast programs for students facing hunger issues, as well as expanded summer nutrition programs.
To address rising living costs such as child care and housing expenses faced by families across the state, Stein recommended expanding tax credits for child care costs and working families along with introducing a back-to-school sales tax holiday. The governor warned against continuing pre-programmed tax cuts that could result in significant shortfalls: “Continuing pre-programmed tax cuts that disproportionately benefit the wealthy risks creating a $5 billion shortfall… We shouldn’t raise taxes but we should pause autopilot tax cuts.”
Stein further outlined plans to support job creation through investments in community colleges and training programs designed to connect residents with high-quality employment opportunities without requiring four-year degrees. Additional proposals include loans for small businesses and support for rural transformation projects.
The Office of the Governor serves all residents statewide according to its official website. As chief executive officer of North Carolina’s government—and leader of both policy direction via budgeting powers as well as commander-in-chief authority over the National Guard—the office influences critical aspects such as law enforcement funding or appointments within executive agencies according to its official website. Josh Stein has served as North Carolina’s 76th governor according to its official website.
In closing his column on future prospects for residents across generations he wrote: “My budget is about opportunity. It’s about ensuring that if you work hard where you come from will never limit how far you can go.”
