NC’s new governor: Stein to make his pitch to Republicans in first State of the State speech
We are now two months into the administration of new North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein, and soon he’ll make his first formal pitch to the General Assembly.
Stein is a Democrat and the legislature is controlled by Republicans. They just invited him to deliver his State of the State Address on March 12.
Good morning. I’m Dawn Vaughan, The News & Observer’s Capitol bureau chief, and this is the governor edition of our Under the Dome newsletter.
In North Carolina, the State of the State is given every two years during a joint session of the General Assembly.
It is held in the House chamber, as the Senate chamber is too small to fit everyone. There are 50 senators and 120 representatives in the House. Extra chairs are brought in to fit the senators on the floor for the bicameral event. And it’s not just lawmakers and the governor. The Council of State is there, too, as well as the N.C. Supreme Court and the N.C. Court of Appeals.
The speech will be Stein’s pitch to lawmakers for what he hopes will be accomplished during the two-year legislative session that’s already underway. It will set his tone for potential legislative battles ahead. Republicans have a supermajority in the Senate, so they can override a Stein veto. And Republicans in the House are just one vote short of total control.
Stein will give his speech at 7 p.m. March 12. The Republican response, which is usually pre-recorded, will follow immediately. The chambers take turns, so it is the House’s turn to give the response. House Speaker Destin Hall is in his first term as speaker and expected to give the speech. Two years ago, Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, who presided over the Senate as president, gave the response.
The event is also the only time in two years that so many people from all three branches of government are in the same room.
News & Observer photos from past State of the State addresses show former Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper, former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory and former Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue. In 2011, Perdue called for lowering corporate income taxes during her speech, which gained applause from then-Speaker and now U.S. Sen. Thom Tillis.
Stein’s speech is sure to touch on Helene recovery, which has been a focus of state leaders last fall and this year.
With budget season starting, the speech is also an opportunity for him to talk about raises, education funding and other priorities. Stein has already called for a freeze on cuts in the individual income tax rate and corporate income tax rate this year. He is expected to give lawmakers his budget proposal soon.
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This story was originally published March 2, 2025 at 5:30 AM.
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