Josh Stein: If I’m elected governor, Helene relief will be my top priority
Josh Stein thought he knew what his top priority as governor was going to be. Then a huge storm blew through Western North Carolina.
“My first priority has been amended by Hurricane Helene,” Stein said. “I think job number one will be working with the legislature to create packages that, over time, make a difference in bringing Western North Carolina back to its feet so they can continue to thrive and succeed.”
The Democratic nominee for governor and current N.C. attorney general spoke to Charlotte-area business and civic leaders Friday at a luncheon hosted by the Hood Hargett Breakfast Club. The group previously heard from Republican nominee Mark Robinson in September and has hosted every N.C. gubernatorial candidate since 2008.
He pointed out that many communities in Western North Carolina lack potable water, electricity and intact infrastructure. Even communities with electricity and water are seeing the economic impact of a lack of tourism after the storm.
“There are many people in that community who still don’t have power, and we’re a month into this,” Stein said. “We’ve got to be in it for the long haul. It’s going to take a long time for them to come back, but if we’re there and we’re persistent, we can do it.”
Public school funding
Second to Helene relief, Stein said his priority is strengthening the state’s public schools — including by raising teacher salaries.
“We pay our starting teachers less than every single state that borders North Carolina,” Stein said. “This is not a path to long-term success.”
North Carolina is currently 48th in the nation in per-student funding, trailing neighboring Virginia and South Carolina by $3,000 to $4,000 per student. The state is 42nd in the nation in starting teacher pay according to the National Education Association, with starting teachers set to make $41,000 this year.
The North Carolina General Assembly expanded funding for the state’s school voucher program by $463 million. Meanwhile, teacher pay was increased by an average rate of just below 3%, which is less than the rate of inflation according to the North Carolina Department of Commerce.
Stein said the state is doing public schools a disservice by expanding funding for private school vouchers without increasing funding for public schools. He also took aim at a position held by Robinson, who has endorsed decreasing money put toward administrative positions in order to pay teachers more, rather than dramatically increasing public school funding overall.
“You hear time and again, ‘Oh, I’m just going to cut the fat out of public schools and pay teachers more,’ but we don’t pay our principals or assistant principals enough. We don’t have enough school counselors, social workers or nurses,” Stein said. “That’s not the answer. We’re failing to meet the moment.”
Stein also said he planned to prioritize public safety and increased access to health care.
Stein on abortion, crime, health care
Reproductive Rights: Stein said he will veto any bill the General Assembly may put forward seeking to further restrict reproductive health care. The state currently bans abortions after 12 weeks, with some exceptions.
Crime: He said it’s a priority to “recruit and retain well-trained law enforcement officers,” in order to address ongoing officer shortages in both local police departments and county sheriff’s offices.
Health care: Stein commended the state’s expansion of Medicaid last December and said he aims to bring down medication and hospital costs. “We need to make sure everyone can get good health care, no matter where they live or how much money they earn,” he said.
This story was originally published October 25, 2024 at 4:12 PM.
