Governor Josh Stein joined the 200 Club of Wake County on Mar. 18 to honor North Carolina’s first responders and recognize the organization’s support for families of fallen public safety personnel. The event marked more than 25 years of the club providing immediate financial assistance and scholarships to children and spouses of first responders in Wake County.
The recognition highlights the ongoing need to support those who serve in dangerous roles across North Carolina. The Office of the Governor serves the entire state, according to the official website. First responders often face significant risks, and their families can experience hardship when tragedy strikes.
“First responders run toward danger when others might flee, and they face real challenges in their work,” said Governor Josh Stein. “They deserve support for their sacrifices and pay that reflects their value.” Barry Long, President of The 200 Club of Wake County, said, “The 200 Club of Wake County is proud to support the families of first responders who have given their lives protecting our community. For more than 25 years, we have had the privilege of standing beside these families, providing immediate financial assistance during their most difficult moments. We remain deeply committed to honoring their sacrifice and look forward to continuing our support of Wake County’s dedicated first responders and their families.”
Stein has announced a $1.4 billion Critical Needs Budget aimed at addressing urgent priorities while lawmakers continue work on a comprehensive state budget. This proposal includes funding for competitive pay increases: a 6.5% raise for juvenile court counselors and probation and parole officers; a 10% raise for correctional officers, state law enforcement officers, and youth counselors; as well as stabilizing operational budgets for key agencies such as the Department of Adult Correction (DAC) and State Bureau of Investigation (SBI). It also recommends a 10% pay increase for nurses and behavioral health technicians at all state-run facilities.
In addition to these measures, Stein continues to advocate for his $195 million public safety proposal that would provide hiring bonuses for new officers or those relocating from other states, along with raises for all state law enforcement officers, correctional officers, and youth counselors. The package also invests in violence prevention efforts and seeks stronger coordination between law enforcement agencies and mental health professionals.
The Office of the Governor executes state laws as chief executive, leads the Council of State, directs budget policy decisions including proposals like these recent ones by Stein, grants pardons, serves as commander in chief of the North Carolina National Guard, and appoints executive officials according to information from its official website.
