Governor Josh Stein announced on April 27 a series of investments in his recommended budget, aimed at building on North Carolina’s recent achievements and keeping the state strong. In a column addressed to residents, Stein highlighted education, cost of living relief, job creation, and public safety as key areas for future investment.
Stein said that North Carolina’s current status as a top state for business and workforce development is the result of “decades of thoughtful investment in people through education, infrastructure, and opportunity.” He emphasized the importance of continuing this trend by focusing on public schools. “Our children are our future, so investing in them must be our greatest priority,” Stein said. He noted that North Carolina ranks 49th nationally in per-student spending and called for raising teacher salaries to the highest level in the Southeast.
The governor’s proposed budget includes measures such as eliminating pay plateaus for teachers, restoring master’s pay, expanding advanced teaching roles programs, increasing funding for school safety and mental health staff, repairing school facilities, providing free school breakfasts, and expanding summer nutrition programs. To address rising costs faced by families—such as child care and housing—Stein proposed targeted tax relief including expanded child care tax credits and a back-to-school sales tax holiday.
Stein also addressed economic growth since January 2025 with more than 41,000 new jobs announced. He said his budget would invest further in community colleges and training programs to connect residents with good-paying jobs. Support for small businesses through loans and rural transformation projects was also included.
Public safety initiatives include better pay for law enforcement officers along with recruitment incentives. The governor outlined efforts to expand behavioral health services while fully funding Medicaid coverage for over three million people across the state.
The Office of the Governor serves all regions of North Carolina according to its official website. As chief executive officer of the state government—and leader of both policy direction through budgeting powers as well as commander-in-chief responsibilities—the office influences key decisions according to its official website. Josh Stein has served as North Carolina’s 76th governor according to its official website.
Concluding his message about opportunity across communities statewide Stein said: “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.”
