[STATELY ORCHESTRAL MUSIC]

>> THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY
WILL COME TO ORDER.

THE SERGEANT AT ARMS OF
THE HOUSE IS RECOGNIZED.

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE THE
HONOR TO ANNOUNCE THE PRESENCE

OF HIS EXCELLENCY, THE GOVERNOR
OF THE STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA,

THE HONORABLE ROY COOPER.

>> THE SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE
HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL ADMIT

THE CHIEF EXECUTIVE WHO IS
INVITED TO THE WELL OF THE

HOUSE.

[APPLAUSE]

[APPLAUSE]

[APPLAUSE]

>> MR. PRESIDENT, I HAVE THE
DISTINCT HONOR AND PRIVILEGE TO

PRESENT HIS EXCELLENCY, THE
GOVERNOR OF THE STATE OF

NORTH CAROLINA, THE
HONORABLE ROY A. COOPER.

[APPLAUSE]

>> THANK YOU, GUYS.

>> MEMBERS OF THE GENERAL
ASSEMBLY, DISTINGUISHED GUESTS,

THE HONORABLE ROY COOPER.

[APPLAUSE]

>> MR. PRESIDENT PRO TEMPORE,
MR. SPEAKER, MEMBERS OF THE

GENERAL ASSEMBLY, COUNCIL OF
STATE, MR. CHIEF JUSTICE AND

MEMBERS OF THE SUPREME COURT,
MEMBERS OF THE COURT OF APPEALS,

CABINET SECRETARIES, AND TO MY
FAMILY: MY AMAZING WIFE KRISTIN

AND OUR THREE WONDERFUL
DAUGHTERS, WHO ARE WITH US IN

SPIRIT AND WATCHING VIA
PBS NORTH CAROLINA TV.

GOOD EVENING.

I AM HONORED TO BE
WITH YOU TONIGHT.

WE GATHER AFTER A YEAR WE
COULD NOT HAVE IMAGINED.

AND NOW WE LOOK TO A FUTURE
THAT CAN BE EVEN BETTER THAN WE

IMAGINE.

OUR RESPONSE TO
AN UNPRECEDENTED,

ONCE-IN-A-GENERATION CHALLENGE
IS SHOWING US CLEARLY THAT NORTH

CAROLINIANS ARE
RESILIENT AND READY.

THE STATE OF OUR
STATE IS STRONG.

[APPLAUSE]

AND THAT'S BECAUSE THE CHARACTER
OF OUR COMMUNITIES IS EVEN

STRONGER.

WE HAVE SHOWN WE
ARE COMPASSIONATE.

AMID A YEAR OF SUFFERING AND
LOSS, NORTH CAROLINIANS HAVE

NEVER STOPPED SHOWING
UP FOR EACH OTHER.

OUR HEALTH CARE WORKERS HAVE
SACRIFICED THEIR OWN SAFETY TO

SAVE LIVES.

NEIGHBORS HAVE DELIVERED MEALS.

FAMILIES HAVE FOUND NEW
WAYS TO STAY CONNECTED.

SONGS FROM GRANDCHILDREN HAVE
POURED THROUGH NURSING HOME

WINDOWS.

EDUCATORS HAVE ENGAGED AND
NURTURED THEIR STUDENTS EVEN

THROUGH THE COMPUTER SCREEN.

THERE ARE ENDLESS EXAMPLES OF
KINDNESS AND STRENGTH THAT WE

HAVE SHOWN EACH OTHER.

WE HAVE LOST A LOT THIS YEAR.

PAINFULLY, THE 12,560 NORTH
CAROLINIANS WHO DIED WITH

COVID-19 FROM PARENTS AND
CHILDREN TO FAVORITE TEACHERS,

COMMUNITY VOLUNTEERS
AND MANY MORE.

THEIR LIVES HAVE FOREVER
ENRICHED OURS AND WE WILL CARRY

THEM WITH US ALWAYS. AND NOT
ONLY HAVE WE LOST LOVED ONES, WE

HAVE ALSO LOST TIME TO SICKNESS,
LOST LEARNING, LOST JOBS, LOST

PEACE OF MIND.

ONE THING THIS PANDEMIC LAID
BARE IS THE INEQUITIES THAT WERE

ALREADY HERE.

THE CRITICAL NEED TO STRENGTHEN
OUR PUBLIC SCHOOLS AND REQUIRE A

SOUND, BASIC EDUCATION FOR ALL
OUR CHILDREN AS OUR CONSTITUTION

MANDATES.

[APPLAUSE]

THE GAPS IN HIGH-SPEED
INTERNET ACCESS.

THE UNLIVABLE WAGES THAT
REQUIRE MANY HARDWORKING NORTH

CAROLINIANS -- JUST TO MAKE ENDS
MEET - TO TAKE ON MULTIPLE JOBS

THAT DON'T PROVIDE
HEALTH INSURANCE.

BUT IF WE CAN HARNESS ALL WE
HAVE LEARNED FROM OUR LOSS, WE

CAN BOOST OPPORTUNITIES
FOR ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET
THE TRAINING NEEDED FOR A

BETTER-PAYING JOB.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO
GET HEALTH INSURANCE.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO GET CONNECTED
TO TELEMEDICINE, HOMEWORK, AND

LOVED ONES WHO LIVE FAR AWAY.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO PROSPER.

THIS PAST YEAR HAS IMPACTED
EVERY SINGLE PERSON IN OUR STATE

AND HAS REQUIRED THE COLLECTIVE
EFFORT OF NORTH CAROLINIANS TO

STAY SAFE AND SAVE LIVES.

FROM THE BEGINNING, I PLEDGED
THAT WE WOULD LISTEN TO HEALTH

EXPERTS AND FOLLOW THE
SCIENCE TO PROTECT OUR STATE.

AND WE HAVE DONE JUST THAT.

THE DECISIVE ACTIONS WE HAVE
TAKEN SAVED LIVES AND PREVENTED

OUR HOSPITALS FROM
BEING OVERWHELMED.

I WOULD LIKE TO RECOGNIZE AND
THANK HEALTH CARE WORKERS ACROSS

OUR STATE.

YOUR COMMITMENT AND COURAGE
HAVE MADE ALL THE DIFFERENCE.

THANK YOU.

[APPLAUSE]

[APPLAUSE]

OUR STATE'S RESPONSE TO THE
PANDEMIC HAS BEEN STRONG.

AND EVERY PHASE OF IT HAS
REQUIRED NORTH CAROLINIANS FROM

CHEROKEE TO CHOWAN TO STEP UP
AND DO THEIR PART, INCLUDING THE

PEOPLE IN THIS ROOM TONIGHT.

FARMERS, RESTAURANT COOKS,
GROCERY STORE WORKERS KEPT US

FED.

EDUCATORS, BUS DRIVERS,
CUSTODIANS, AND CAFETERIA

WORKERS HELPED OUR CHILDREN TO
GET MEALS, STAY SAFE, AND LEARN.

LAW ENFORCEMENT, FIREFIGHTERS
AND EMTS KEPT US PROTECTED.

PASSIONATE PEACEFUL PROTESTERS
OF ALL STRIPES CHALLENGED US AND

REMINDED US THE IMPORTANCE
OF PROTECTING OUR FREEDOM OF

SPEECH.

FAITH LEADERS PRAYED FOR,
HELPED, AND COMFORTED US.

SCIENTISTS AND RESEARCHERS AT
OUR GREAT UNIVERSITIES HELPED

DISCOVER AND MAKE
VACCINES AND TREATMENTS.

MOMS, DADS, GRANDPARENTS,
CHILDREN, NEIGHBORS,

FRIENDS-EVERYDAY PEOPLE-ENDURED
TOGETHER AND HELPED EACH OTHER.

YOU SEE, NORTH CAROLINIANS
STEP UP IN TIMES OF CRISIS.

AND WHILE OUR SPECIAL GUESTS
CANNOT BE IN THE BUILDING

TONIGHT, I WANT TO RECOGNIZE A
FEW NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO HAVE

MADE A REAL DIFFERENCE.

A LOT OF NORTH CAROLINA
COMPANIES AT THEIR OWN ECONOMIC

RISK CHANGED WHAT THEY WERE
DOING AND STARTED MAKING THINGS

WE NEEDED RIGHT
THEN TO SAVE LIVES.

INSTEAD OF JUST MAKING
FURNITURE, CUSTOM CONTRACTS

FURNISHINGS IN HIGH POINT TEAMED
UP WITH A LOCAL FABRICS COMPANY

TO MAKE MEDICAL GOWNS.

THEY HIRED 50 NEW EMPLOYEES AND
MADE OVER A MILLION GOWNS FOR

OUR STATE AND OTHER CUSTOMERS.

IN MARCH OF 2020, RIGHT AS THE
PANDEMIC BEGAN, PARKDALE MILLS

IN GASTONIA WORKED WITH A GROUP
OF COMPANIES TO PUT TOGETHER A

REUSABLE MASK - SUPPLYING OVER
600 MILLION OF THEM ACROSS THE

COUNTRY.

THIS KIND OF INGENUITY AND
RESOURCEFULNESS HELPED US GET

DESPERATELY-NEEDED PPE TO
FRONTLINE WORKERS WHEN THEY

DIDN'T HAVE ENOUGH.

THAT NORTH CAROLINA INGENUITY
UNFOLDED ACROSS THE STATE IN

MANY WAYS.

FELECIA YOUNG, A MATH TEACHER AT
KNOX MIDDLE SCHOOL IN SALISBURY,

KNEW REMOTE LEARNING
WOULD BE A CHALLENGE.

SO SHE WENT THE EXTRA
MILE TO MAKE IT FUN.

SHE PRODUCED VIDEOS WITH MUSIC,
DANCE, AND SONG THAT HELPED YOU

WITH MATH EVEN IF YOU
DIDN'T WANT THEM TO.

SHE KEPT IN SUCH CLOSE CONTACT
WITH HER STUDENTS AND THEIR

FAMILIES, SHE EARNED THE
NICKNAME "MAMA YOUNG."

NORTH CAROLINA NATIONAL GUARD
LIEUTENANT COLONEL DAVID

WALLISER COORDINATED VACCINE
SITES ALONG WITH EMERGENCY

MANAGEMENT AND STATE AND LOCAL
HEALTH OFFICIALS ACROSS THE

STATE AND HELPED ORGANIZE THE
FEDERALLY-SUPPORTED SITE IN

GREENSBORO.

AS HE SAID, "NO GREAT
ACHIEVEMENT IS ACHIEVED ALONE."

COL. WALLISER KNEW THAT WITH ALL
OF US WORKING TOGETHER WE COULD

GET MORE PEOPLE VACCINATED.

AND, OF COURSE, THERE ARE
ENDLESS STORIES OF OUR HEROIC

FRONTLINE HEALTH WORKERS WHO
FOUGHT THIS PANDEMIC TIRELESSLY

WITH COURAGE AND COMPASSION.

ONE OF THESE IS NATESHA FIELDS,
A NURSE AND MANAGER AT CAROLINA

EAST MEDICAL CENTER IN NEW BERN.

SHE HAD THE DOUBLE CHALLENGE OF
CARING FOR HER PATIENTS AND HER

STAFF.

FROM DEALING WITH PPE SHORTAGES
TO CARING FOR DYING PATIENTS TO

SUPPORTING HER STAFF MEMBERS WHO
WERE WORKING LONG HOURS AMID

THEIR OWN SACRIFICES, SHE KEPT
THINGS RUNNING AND KEPT PEOPLE

SAFE.

NATESHA, DAVID, FELECIA, CUSTOM
CONTRACTS FURNISHING, AND

PARKDALE MILLS AND SO MANY OTHER
PEOPLE AND COMPANIES IN OUR

STATE STEPPED UP.

AND I AM SO GRATEFUL
FOR ALL OF THEM.

AND NOW IT'S TIME
FOR US TO STEP UP.

THE ELECTED LEADERS.

NORTH CAROLINIANS WANT US TO
WORK TOGETHER LIKE THEY HAVE HAD

TO DO.

MEMBERS OF THE LEGISLATURE, WE
KNOW WE CAN FIND COMMON GROUND

BECAUSE WE HAVE DONE IT BEFORE.

OUR DIFFERENCES OFTEN GET THE
ATTENTION, BUT OUR COOPERATION

GOT BILLIONS OF DOLLARS IN
RELIEF FUNDS TO PEOPLE WHO

NEEDED IT.

YOU PASSED AND I SIGNED
LEGISLATION TO PROVIDE FUNDING

TO REBUILD AFTER
NATURAL DISASTERS.

WE PASSED THE BUILD NC
BONDS FOR BETTER ROADS.

WE LANDED TENS OF THOUSANDS OF
GOOD-PAYING JOBS WITH STRATEGIC

AND ACCOUNTABLE
ECONOMIC INCENTIVES.

WE GOT RID OF THE
DISCRIMINATORY HOUSE BILL 2.

WE RAISED THE AGE FOR JUVENILES
IN THE CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM.

AND JUST LAST MONTH TOGETHER WE
GOT MORE CHILDREN SAFELY INTO

THEIR CLASSROOMS.

AND WE'RE WORKING WITH EACH
OTHER ON PANDEMIC RESPONSE.

WE RECOGNIZED THAT THOUSANDS
OF NORTH CAROLINIANS WERE

THREATENED WITH EVICTION AND
POWER SHUTOFFS DURING THE

PANDEMIC.

MY ADMINISTRATION CREATED AND
YOU FUNDED THE HOPE PROGRAM TO

MAKE PAYMENTS DIRECTLY TO
LANDLORDS AND UTILITIES TO KEEP

PEOPLE IN THEIR HOMES WITH THE
LIGHTS ON AND IT'S ALREADY

HELPED OVER 36,000 FAMILIES AND
PAID OUT ALMOST $125 MILLION.

TOGETHER WE'RE HELPING SMALL
BUSINESS OWNERS BOUNCE BACK WITH

FEDERAL FUNDS FOR THEIR
RENT AND UTILITIES.

ONE OF THESE IS THE BAR-B-Q
CENTER IN LEXINGTON THAT'S BEEN

FAMILY-OWNED AND
OPEN SINCE 1955.

THIS MONEY ALLOWED THEM TO KEEP
THEIR DOORS OPEN, PAY AND KEEP

THEIR EMPLOYEES, WHILE STILL
SERVING GREAT BARBECUE.

YOU PASSED AND I SIGNED
LEGISLATION WAIVING ABC PERMIT

FEES, SAVING STRUGGLING BAR AND
RESTAURANT OWNERS MILLIONS,

DIRECTING FEDERAL FUNDS TO
SCHOOLS TO KEEP THEM SAFE,

PROVIDING STUDENTS WITH SUMMER
SCHOOL AND WITH BETTER WAYS TO

LEARN TO READ.

AND WE KNOW WE MUST
DO SO MUCH MORE.

WE OFTEN HAVE OUR DIFFERENCES IN
THESE CHAMBERS, BUT THE PEOPLE

OF NORTH CAROLINA SHOULD KNOW
THAT AT TIMES, WHEN IT MATTERED,

THEIR LEADERS STEPPED UP.

AND NOW WE NEED TO DO IT AGAIN.

ONE WAY IS FIGHTING THROUGH THIS
PANDEMIC TOGETHER, THE RIGHT

WAY.

THOUGH EVERY LOSS HURT, NORTH
CAROLINA RANKS LOW AMONG THE

STATES IN COVID-19 DEATHS PER
CAPITA DURING THE PANDEMIC.

DURING THE SAME PERIOD NORTH
CAROLINA RANKS LOW AMONG STATES

IN JOB LOSSES PER CAPITA. WE'VE
SAVED LIVES DURING THE PANDEMIC

AND DEPLOYED VACCINES TO
BRING OUR ECONOMY ON STRONG.

WE ARE DOING THIS THE RIGHT WAY.

ALMOST HALF OF OUR STATE'S
ADULTS HAVE HAD AT LEAST A FIRST

SHOT OF VACCINE, AND ALMOST 40
PERCENT ARE FULLY VACCINATED.

WE'RE DOING EVEN BETTER WITH OUR
65 AND OVER POPULATION WITH MORE

THAN 77 PERCENT WITH AT LEAST
ONE SHOT AND MORE THAN 72

PERCENT FULLY VACCINATED.

THAT'S REMARKABLE.

EVERY DOSE IS ANOTHER PERSON
SAVED, ANOTHER FAMILY CLOSER TO

IMMUNITY.

NOW, THINK WHAT MORE WE CAN DO
IF WE KEEP WORKING TOGETHER.

OUR FUTURE SUCCESS AS A STATE
DEPENDS ON US GETTING HEALTH

CARE TO WORKING PEOPLE
WHO DON'T HAVE IT.

SEVERAL OF YOU TOP LEGISLATORS
FROM BOTH PARTIES SAT WITH

SECRETARY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN
SERVICES DR. MANDY COHEN AND ME

ON THE NORTH CAROLINA COUNCIL
FOR HEALTH CARE COVERAGE, AND WE

UNANIMOUSLY AGREED ON
A SET OF PRINCIPLES.

SOME WERE STRAIGHT FORWARD: GET
MORE PEOPLE COVERED WITH HEALTH

INSURANCE.

MAKE PEOPLE HEALTHIER.

USE TAX DOLLARS WISELY.

OTHERS WERE MORE COMPLICATED:
MAKE HEALTH CARE MORE FAIR.

AND REACH RURAL AREAS.

THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO ALL THESE
THINGS IS THERE IF WE EXPAND

MEDICAID.

AND CIRCUMSTANCES ABOUT
MEDICAID EXPANSION HAVE CHANGED

DRAMATICALLY SINCE WE DEBATED
IT IN THE LAST BUDGET.

FIRST, EVEN MORE FEDERAL DOLLARS
- OUR TAX MONEY - ARE AVAILABLE

IN UNPRECEDENTED AMOUNTS FOR THE
LAST FEW STATES THAT HAVE NOT

EXPANDED.

THAT CAN MAKE OUR RURAL
HOSPITALS THRIVE, PROVIDE MENTAL

HEALTH AND KEEP WORKING
PEOPLE HEALTHY.

SECOND, YOUR PUSH TO TRANSITION
MEDICAID TO MANAGED CARE IS

HAPPENING IN ABOUT TWO MONTHS,
AND YOU HAVE SAID THIS WILL MAKE

MEDICAID MORE EFFICIENT
AND SAVE TAXPAYER MONEY.

THIRD, PEOPLE WHO'VE LOST
THEIR JOBS AND THEIR

EMPLOYER-SPONSORED HEALTH
INSURANCE DURING THIS PANDEMIC

DESPERATELY NEED THIS HELP.

WE HEAR TIME AND AGAIN FROM
SMALL BUSINESSES ABOUT THE

URGENT NEED FOR
MEDICAID EXPANSION.

ONE BUSINESS OWNER WHO HAS BEEN
FIGHTING FOR IT IS CASSANDRA

BROOKS.

SHE OPERATES CHILDCARE CENTERS
IN CLAYTON AND GARNER.

HER CENTERS CARED FOR THE
CHILDREN OF GROCERY STORE

CLERKS, NURSES, AND OTHER
FRONTLINE WORKERS WHO HAD TO

WORK IN-PERSON ALL
THROUGH THE PANDEMIC.

CASSANDRA HAD A FRIEND AND
CO-WORKER DIE FROM A STROKE WHEN

SHE COULD NOT AFFORD TREATMENT
FOR HER HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

SHE HAS SEEN PEOPLE WITHOUT
HEALTH INSURANCE GET SICK WITH

COVID-19 AND NOT BE ABLE TO
GET THE CARE THEY NEEDED.

ONE IN FIVE CHILDCARE PROVIDERS
DON'T HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE.

THAT'S NOT RIGHT.

EXPANDING MEDICAID DOES ALL
THE THINGS WE AGREED ON IN OUR

BIPARTISAN COUNCIL MEETINGS.

IT GETS MORE PEOPLE COVERED.

IT MAKES PEOPLE HEALTHIER.

IT USES TAX DOLLARS WISELY AND
REDUCES HEALTH CARE COSTS FOR

BUSINESSES.

IT MAKES HEALTH CARE MORE FAIR.

IT REACHES RURAL AREAS.

LET'S MAKE A DEAL.

LET'S GET THIS DONE.

[APPLAUSE]

A HEALTHIER STATE MEANS A
HEALTHIER WORKFORCE THAT IS

READY FOR THE BETTER-PAYING
JOBS WE'RE BRINGING HERE.

IN 2019, I AND THE BIPARTISAN
LEADERS OF THE LEGISLATURE,

BUSINESS, AND EDUCATION STOOD
TOGETHER TO MAKE A PROMISE.

WE PLEDGED THAT IN THE NEXT
DECADE, 2 MILLION MORE ADULT

NORTH CAROLINIANS WILL HAVE A
DEGREE OR TRADE CERTIFICATION.

NOW WE HAVE OUR BEST CHANCE
TO KEEP THAT PROMISE.

TODAY, WE CAN JOIN TOGETHER TO
OFFER ALL NORTH CAROLINIANS WHO

WANT TO REACH THEIR FULL
POTENTIAL THROUGH HIGHER

EDUCATION THE CHANCE
TO AFFORD IT.

WITH OUR GREAT COMMUNITY
COLLEGES, UNIVERSITY SYSTEM, AND

PRIVATE COLLEGES, WE HAVE
THE BEST TRAINING GROUNDS IN

AMERICA.

WITH THE FEDERAL AMERICAN RESCUE
PLAN AND STATE RESOURCES, WE

HAVE THE FUNDING.

WITH BUSINESSES ALREADY HERE AND
COMING SOON, WE HAVE THE GOOD

PAYING JOBS.

NOW WE NEED TO PUT IT ALL
TOGETHER TO MAKE EDUCATION AND

TRAINING MORE AFFORDABLE
FOR EVERYONE.

NOW YOU MIGHT HAVE HEARD TODAY
THAT A LITTLE TECHNOLOGY COMPANY

FROM CALIFORNIA HAS
DECIDED TO MOVE HERE.

[APPLAUSE]

IN YET ANOTHER TREMENDOUS
ACCOMPLISHMENT FOR OUR STATE,

TODAY WE STOOD TOGETHER AND
ANNOUNCED THAT APPLE HAS CHOSEN

NORTH CAROLINA FOR ITS FIRST NEW
CAMPUS AND ENGINEERING HUB IN

THE UNITED STATES IN
MORE THAN 20 YEARS.

AND THAT MAKES 11 COMPANIES THAT
HAVE ANNOUNCED THOUSANDS OF JOBS

IN BOTH RURAL AND URBAN AREAS
IN JUST THE PAST TWO MONTHS.

DURING A PANDEMIC!

THE GOOD JOBS ARE ALREADY HERE
AND THEY'RE GOING TO KEEP ON

COMING.

LET'S MAKE SURE OUR PEOPLE CAN
AFFORD TO GET THE EDUCATION AND

TRAINING TO LAND THEM.

WE KNOW THAT PEOPLE CAN SUCCEED
IF WE BREAK DOWN THE FINANCIAL

BARRIERS KEEPING THEM
FROM THEIR GOALS.

LEXINE MERRILL WAS IN HER THIRD
SEMESTER AS A NURSING STUDENT AT

CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY
COLLEGE WHEN UNEXPECTED MEDICAL

BILLS CAME ON TOP OF
A NEEDED CAR REPAIR.

SHE THOUGHT SHE WOULD HAVE TO
DROP OUT, BUT A FINISH LINE

GRANT HELPED HER AFFORD
TO STAY IN SCHOOL.

SHE GRADUATED IN DECEMBER AND IS
WORKING AS A CRITICAL CARE NURSE

IN MONROE RIGHT WHEN
WE NEED HER MOST.

HER STORY IS A TESTAMENT THAT
EVEN A SMALL AMOUNT OF FINANCIAL

HELP CAN TURN STUDENTS INTO
SKILLED WORKERS TO FILL THESE

HIGH-DEMAND JOBS.

THE CEOS WILL TELL YOU THEY NEED
THESE HIGHLY TRAINED PEOPLE

RIGHT NOW AND WE NEED TO INVEST
IN MORE COMMUNITY COLLEGE AND

UNIVERSITY SCHOLARSHIPS
IMMEDIATELY.

THESE SAME CEOS WILL TELL YOU
THAT INVESTING IN EDUCATION AT

THE BACK END IS IMPORTANT BUT
INVESTING IN OUR CHILDREN

EARLIER MAY BE EVEN
MORE CRITICAL.

OUR PLEDGE FOR GETTING TWO
MILLION MORE ADULTS TRAINED AND

EDUCATED BY 2030 MUST BEGIN
WITH MORE CHILDREN GETTING HIGH

QUALITY PRE-K AND A
HEALTHY START AT BIRTH.

MORE CHILDREN WHO LEARN TO
READ IN ELEMENTARY SCHOOL.

MORE CHILDREN INSPIRED TO
LEARN TRADES IN MIDDLE SCHOOL.

AND MORE WELL-PAID EDUCATORS WHO
CAN GUIDE CHILDREN AS WELL AS

ADULTS GETTING TRAINED
FOR A SECOND CAREER.

AND THAT MEANS PAYING
TEACHERS MORE.

IF WE WANT TO RECRUIT AND KEEP
THE BEST EDUCATORS, WE NEED TO

PAY THEM BETTER.

[APPLAUSE]

TOO MANY OF OUR TEACHERS ARE
WORKING MULTIPLE JOBS - AND IT'S

STILL NOT ENOUGH.

BECAUSE OF OUR BUDGET DISPUTE
LAST TIME OUR EDUCATORS DID NOT

GET A RAISE IN THE
LAST BUDGET CYCLE.

WE NEED TO MAKE UP FOR THAT
IN THIS YEAR'S BUDGET.

EDUCATION AND HEALTH CARE WILL
GET US WELL ON OUR WAY. BUT TO

CEMENT NORTH CAROLINA'S SPOT AS
BEST IN THE NATION FOR BUSINESS

AND INDUSTRY, WE HAVE TO
SOLIDIFY THE STATE'S BACKBONE.

ITS INFRASTRUCTURE, SCHOOLS,
WATER AND SEWER, ROADS, BRIDGES,

TRANSIT AND ALSO ITS
PATHWAYS FOR INFORMATION.

HIGH SPEED INTERNET IS VITAL FOR
EDUCATION AND TELEMEDICINE BUT

ALSO FOR EVERY PERSON, FROM
SMALL BUSINESS OWNER AND FARMER

TO BIG CORPORATION AND HOSPITAL.

IN HOKE COUNTY, DR. KAREN SMITH
BEGAN USING TELEMEDICINE TO CARE

FOR PATIENTS WITH OPIOID
ADDICTION, AND WHEN THE PANDEMIC

HIT SHE REALIZED IT
COULD HELP EVEN MORE.

SHE CAREFULLY PLANNED TO
CONTINUE HER IN-PERSON MEDICAL

CARE, BUT MANY OF HER PATIENTS
WERE HESITANT TO COME IN AT THE

HEIGHT OF THE PANDEMIC, AND A
LOT OF THEM DIDN'T HAVE INTERNET

ACCESS.

SO DR. SMITH EXTENDED HER
OFFICE'S WIFI TO THE PARKING LOT

AND OFFERED TABLETS
FOR PATIENT USE.

THIS MEANT THOSE WITH LIMITED
ACCESS TO TECHNOLOGY COULD STILL

GET THE CARE THEY NEEDED
THROUGH TELEMEDICINE.

THE PANDEMIC AND THE RESULTING
NECESSARY EXPANSION OF

TECHNOLOGY HAVE FLUNG
US A DECADE AHEAD.

THE FUTURE WORLD WHERE WE WORK
FROM HOME, SEE A DOCTOR, AND

CONNECT OVER SCREENS IS
THRUST ON US RIGHT NOW.

BUT IF YOU DON'T HAVE THE
ACCESS, THE SCREEN, OR THE MONEY

TO SUBSCRIBE YOU'RE LEFT
OUT AND LEFT BEHIND.

WE HAVE A PLAN AND THE MONEY TO
STRETCH HIGH-SPEED INTERNET TO

OUR STATE'S FARTHEST CORNERS.

AND WE SHOULD USE THEM
BOTH TO GET THIS DONE.

[APPLAUSE]

AND LET'S BOOST BUSINESSES THAT
WERE HARDEST HIT BY THE PANDEMIC

WITH SOME DIRECT
HELP-RESTAURANTS, HOTELS,

CONVENTIONS, HOSPITALITY
AND TOURISM.

LET'S GET PEOPLE BACK IN THE
WORK FORCE AND HELP THEM GET THE

TRAINING THEY NEED
TO LAND THE JOBS.

AND A LOT THEM WILL
BE CLEAN ENERGY JOBS.

LOOK, SCIENTISTS CONCUR THAT THE
CLIMATE CRISIS IS REAL AND THAT

WE NEED TO LOWER
CARBON EMISSIONS.

BUT ASIDE FROM THAT, CLEAN
ENERGY IS WHERE THE GREAT-PAYING

JOBS ARE GOING TO BE.

LET'S GET AHEAD OF OTHER STATES
AND LEAD THIS INDUSTRY IN NORTH

CAROLINA.

I'M ASKING YOU TO EXPAND ACCESS
TO CLEAN ENERGY TECHNOLOGIES,

INVEST IN CLEAN ENERGY ECONOMIC
DEVELOPMENT, PROMOTE OFFSHORE

WIND, AND BUILD THE CLEAN ENERGY
WORKFORCE TO CATALYZE NORTH

CAROLINA'S ECONOMY.

THIS INDUSTRY IS RACING TOWARD
US WITH THOUSANDS OF GOOD-PAYING

JOBS THAT WILL STRENGTHEN
OUR ECONOMY AND OUR PLANET.

WE ARE ALREADY AHEAD IN SOLAR
ENERGY AND WITH NEW OFFSHORE

WIND AND ITS LUCRATIVE SUPPLY
CHAIN, WE CAN PUT MONEY IN NORTH

CAROLINA POCKETS.

AND AS WE WORK TO BUILD OUR
INFRASTRUCTURE, WE NEED TO BUILD

THE SCHOOL BUILDINGS OUR KIDS
DESERVE, AND STRENGTHEN THE

COMMUNITY COLLEGES AND
UNIVERSITIES WHERE WE'RE

TRAINING THE NEXT GREAT
SCIENTISTS, ENGINEERS, NURSES

AND WELDERS.

WE CAN ENRICH OUR LIVES WITH
INVESTMENTS IN PARKS, MUSEUMS,

AND HISTORIC SITES.

WE'RE SEEING THE
LOWEST INTEREST RATES.

WE CAN AFFORD IT, IT WILL CREATE
JOBS, AND WE'RE NEVER GOING TO

GET A BETTER DEAL.

SO LET'S COME TOGETHER AND PASS
A STRONG BOND REFERENDUM SO WE

CAN GET THIS DONE.

[APPLAUSE]

ALL OF THESE IMPORTANT STEPS ARE
NEEDED TO BUILD A STRONGER AND

MORE PROSPEROUS FUTURE.

BUT WE CAN'T SUCCEED IN THE
FUTURE WITHOUT RECKONING WITH

OUR PAST AND,
UNFORTUNATELY, OUR PRESENT.

WE MUST FACE HEAD ON THE STARK
REALITY OF SYSTEMIC RACISM, AND

HOW IT HURTS PEOPLE AND
LEAVES THEM BEHIND.

WHO GETS TO SEE A DOCTOR, WHO
GETS HIRED FOR A JOB, WHO GETS

CHARGED WITH A CRIME, WHO GETS
PRISON TIME, WHO GETS KILLED.

OVER THE PAST YEAR, AND JUST IN
THE PAST WEEK, WE'VE SEEN THE

HARM SUFFERED BY TOO MANY PEOPLE
OF COLOR IN OUR STATE AND ACROSS

THE COUNTRY.

AND I WANT TO SAY CLEARLY: WE
MUST ALL STAND TOGETHER TO STOP

RACIAL INJUSTICE
IN NORTH CAROLINA.

[APPLAUSE]

EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE OPPORTUNITY
AND EVERYONE SHOULD BE ABLE TO

FEEL SAFE IN THEIR OWN HOMES
AND COMMUNITIES WITHOUT FEAR OF

AUTHORITY WHO SHOULD BE
THERE TO PROTECT THEM.

[APPLAUSE]

IN ALL THE AREAS THAT ARE
IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE'S

SUCCESS, HEALTH CARE, EDUCATION,
ECONOMIC STRENGTH, THE JUSTICE

SYSTEM-WE MUST CONFRONT SYSTEMS
THAT FAVOR SOME AND HARM OTHERS.

AND WE MUST FIX THEM.

[APPLAUSE]

FELLOW NORTH CAROLINIANS, TODAY
OUR STATE IS OPERATING UNDER A

BUDGET THAT WAS ENACTED IN 2018
BECAUSE WE COULDN'T AGREE ON ONE

LAST TIME.

THINK ABOUT HOW MUCH THE
WORLD HAS CHANGED SINCE 2018.

I'M HERE NOW, AT YOUR
INVITATION, TO GIVE MY

PERSPECTIVE ABOUT THE NEEDS
AND CHALLENGES OF OUR PEOPLE.

AND I'M HERE TO TELL YOU THAT MY
BUDGET TACKLES THOSE NEEDS AND

CHALLENGES.

THERE ARE SOME REALLY
GOOD IDEAS IN THERE.

[LAUGHTER]

THERE'S GOING TO HAVE TO BE SOME
GIVE AND TAKE IN ORDER FOR US TO

GET THIS DONE.

I DON'T WANT TO HAVE TO VETO THE
BUDGET, AND I WILL DO MY PART TO

SEE THAT WE HAVE A BUDGET AND
I EXPECT YOU TO DO YOURS.

[APPLAUSE]

AND I WANT TO SEE A BUDGET THAT
HAS THREE SIGNATURES -- SPEAKER

MOORE'S, SENATOR
BERGER'S, AND MINE.

OUR PEOPLE DESERVE THAT.

[APPLAUSE]

TO THE LEGISLATORS IN THE ROOM:
WE'VE AGREED BEFORE, LET'S FIND

WAYS TO DO IT AGAIN, AND KEEP
MOVING OUR STATE FORWARD.

LET'S AGREE TO LISTEN MORE TO
EACH OTHER AND ACT IN GOOD FAITH

TO GET THINGS DONE.

WE'RE ALREADY MAKING
PROGRESS ON THAT.

THE CHALLENGES WE FACE ARE
TOO GREAT TO DO OTHERWISE.

THEY ARE NOT EASY TO SOLVE.

BUT WE HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY AND
THE UNPRECEDENTED RESOURCES TO

FACE THEM HEAD-ON.

TO GET TO THE ROOT OF PROBLEMS.

TO IMAGINE AND INNOVATE RATHER
THAN DOUBT AND TOLERATE.

TO FIGHT DISCRIMINATION AND
PROMOTE JUSTICE THAT OPENS DOORS

EVEN WIDER TO
DIVERSITY AND EQUITY.

IN A YEAR OF HARDSHIP AND LOSS,
WE OWE IT TO OURSELVES AND EACH

OTHER AND, AS LEADERS, WE OWE IT
TO THE PEOPLE WHO ELECTED US, TO

BUILD A STATE THAT IS TRULY MORE
EDUCATED, EQUITABLE, HEALTHIER,

AND PROSPEROUS.

AND TO ACT WITH THE
COMPASSIONATE RESILIENCE THAT

HAS GOTTEN US THROUGH
THIS PANDEMIC.

NORTH CAROLINIANS
KEPT EACH OTHER SAFE.

TAUGHT EACH OTHER.

SAVED EACH OTHER.

MOURNED FOR AND
LOVED EACH OTHER.

PRAYED FOR EACH OTHER.

THIS IS THE NORTH CAROLINA WAY,
AND WE MUST HEED THE LESSONS WE

HAVE LEARNED.

I BELIEVE THAT NORTH CAROLINA IS
STRONG, RESILIENT AND READY TO

FACE THE CHALLENGES
OF THE FUTURE.

I BELIEVE THAT WE WILL REBUILD
FROM THIS PANDEMIC TO BE EVEN

STRONGER THAN BEFORE.

AND I BELIEVE THAT WE CAN ROAR
INTO THE FUTURE TOGETHER,

CREATING A SHARED RECOVERY THAT
ENSURES OUR BEST DAYS LIE AHEAD.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN PROUDER TO
CALL MYSELF A NORTH CAROLINIAN.

I HAVE NEVER HAD A
STRONGER FAITH IN GOD.

I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE HONORED
OR MORE COMMITTED TO SERVE ALL

OF YOU AS YOUR GOVERNOR.

AND I HAVE NEVER BEEN MORE
CERTAIN THAT NORTH CAROLINA'S

FUTURE IS BRIGHT.

THANK YOU, GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU,
AND GOD BLESS NORTH CAROLINA AND

THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH.

[APPLAUSE]

[APPLAUSE]

>> THE SERGEANT AT ARMS OF THE
HOUSE AND THE SENATE WILL OPEN

THE DOORS FOR THE
EXIT OF THE GOVERNOR.

[APPLAUSE]