Roy Cooper in 2019 Governor's State of the State speeches
On Civil Rights:
Workplace discrimination "bathroom bill" is unacceptable
When I took office, House Bill 2 [the "bathroom bill"] was hurting North Carolinians and holding our economy back. I said we must repeal it and with bipartisan support, HB2 is gone. But there is more to do. We must show the rest of the nation
and the world who we really are: a state that values diversity, that is welcoming, and that is open for business. I've signed two executive orders that reaffirm those values by banning workplace discrimination.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Education:
$8 billion in building or renovating schools
Public education is our most important job as a state. We must do better. Let's give kids a better start by investing more in early childhood education. We've worked together to expand pre-K to thousands more students,
but we shouldn't stop until every child has it.
Let's give our students safe, healthy places to learn. Right now, 4 in 10 public schools in our state are at least 50 years old. That means they're still using the schools you and I went to.
That's great for nostalgia, but not so good for students in classrooms with unreliable heat, leaking roofs or crumbling walls.
K through 12 schools need at least 8 billion dollars in new construction and renovations let's have the people vote on a strong school construction bond.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Education:
Increased teacher pay before tax cuts for the 1%
Too often, public schools have taken a back seat to tax breaks for those at the very top. Simply put, public education is our most important job as a state. We must do better. If we want our educators to teach well, we need to treat them well.
North Carolina is still ranked 37th in teacher pay nationwide. That's not the respect they deserve. When I send you my budget, we'll put our schools and our teachers first.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Energy & Oil:
Reducing greenhouse gas means green jobs
We must also limit damage from the next storm by rebuilding stronger and more resilient. Weeks after Hurricane Florence, I formed the new office of recovery and resiliency to carry out
recovery and develop strategies to protect our state from future storms. We've seen violent weather threaten every corner of our state, and scientists agree climate change is making storms more fierce.
It is real. And we're the generation that must act.In October, I signed an executive order to reduce our state's greenhouse gas emissions 40% by 2025.
This won't just help in the fight against climate change. It will boost our economy by creating more clean energy jobs.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Health Care:
Accept Federal dollars to expand Medicaid
We know too many North Carolinians don't have health insurance. Many North Carolinians are tired of their tax dollars going to Washington to cover people in other states, but not our state.
It makes no sense to say no to something our Federal tax dollars already pay for in other states. As soon as we can, right now, we should expand Medicaid.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Jobs:
NC Job Ready: state helps train students, handle expenses
There are thousands of jobs available from advanced manufacturing to construction to technology in health care, jobs that offer better pay, yet employers tell me they struggle to find the skilled workers they need. That's why we started
NC Job Ready, a program that trains workers in the skills employers need. Our finish line grants help community college students living on the economic edge when they face unexpected costs like car repairs, medical emergencies, and childcare.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
On Technology:
Public/private team up for rural internet access
Too many North Carolinians lack the internet connection they need to apply for jobs, do homework or run a small business. Among households without broadband, about 95% are in rural areas, a digital divide with very real consequences.
I'm asking you to join me in an expansive effort to complete rural broadband projects. We can leverage public/private partnerships to bridge the digital divide and connect all parts of our state to opportunity.
Source: 2019 State of the State address to North Carolina congress
Feb 25, 2019
Page last updated: Apr 02, 2019