Today, Governor Roy Cooper urged Republican legislators to provide more much-needed funding for Western North Carolina recovery instead of spending millions of taxpayer dollars on private school vouchers for the wealthy when they return to session next Tuesday. Legislators are considering funneling $463 million in taxpayer money to unaccountable private schools while North Carolina faces significant recovery needs and is forecasted to experience a budget shortfall due to tax cuts pushed for by Republican leadership.
Press Releases
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced over $14 million has been donated to the North Carolina Disaster Relief Fund since Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina earlier this fall. Help has poured into the state from across the country and around the world, including in the form of monetary donations to the relief fund that are already supporting nonprofits working to meet the immediate needs of storm victims.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper appointed Judge Roy Wijewickrama to serve as Superior Court Judge in Judicial District 43B, serving Haywood and Jackson counties. Wijewickrama will fill the vacancy created by the retirement of the Honorable Brad Letts.“Judge Wijewickrama has the experience, legal ability and deep knowledge of Haywood and Jackson Counties to be an excellent Superior Court Judge there,” said Governor Cooper. “I am grateful for his willingness to step up and continue serving his community in this way.”
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced $1 million in new funding for public school field trips with North Carolina Department of Natural and Cultural Resources (DNCR) Secretary Reid Wilson at the N.C. Museum of Natural Sciences. The “Learning Happens Here Field Trip Fund” will provide North Carolina public school students with access to enriching field trips to the over 100 DNCR locations across the state.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper commuted the sentences of six people in North Carolina prisons and granted pardons of innocence to two others. All of the clemency actions followed thorough review by the Office of Executive Clemency, the Office of General Counsel and the Governor.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced in coordination with the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services that more than $129 million in food assistance has been distributed to more than one million children through the SUN Bucks program during its first summer of operation in North Carolina.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced Abstract Ice Inc, a manufacturer of specialty craft ice products, will create 26 new jobs and invest more than $14.7 million in establishing a new manufacturing facility in Forest City.“Today, we celebrate Abstract Ice investing in Rutherford County,” Governor Cooper said. “Western North Carolina is open for business, and innovative companies like Abstract Ice will continue to invest in our state with our highly skilled workforce, strong infrastructure and great quality of life."
Today, Governor Roy Cooper announced the release of North Carolina’s first Community Violence Prevention Strategic Plan, a milestone in the effort to reduce violence, harm from violence and firearm misuse across the state.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper named Kevin O’Barr as Commissioner of Labor to succeed Commissioner Josh Dobson, who resigned on Wednesday, November 6. O’Barr will serve until Commissioner-Elect Luke Farley takes office in January.
Today, Governor Roy Cooper attended a meeting for western local governments hosted by the North Carolina League of Municipalities and North Carolina Association of County Commissioners focused on discussing urgent needs to support ongoing recovery and rebuilding in the wake of Hurricane Helene in Western North Carolina.