[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]