Statement on Governor’s Call for a Special Session from Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director

Every elected official who cares about the rising costs facing North Carolina families — and who wants to ensure that our communities have what they need to be well — should support a state budget that pauses the tax cuts for the wealthy and profitable corporations set to take effect Jan. 1.  

Governor Stein’s call for a special session is welcome, and legislators should plan to be in Raleigh on Nov. 17  to the work needed to make people’s lives better right now.

For it to truly help families across our state, it must focus not just on the important investment needed in Medicaid but on the bigger fiscal cliff North Carolina faces. That means rejecting the Senate’s tax plan — a plan that holds up the budget to secure $9 billion more in tax cuts for the very wealthy while delaying and disrupting investments in health care, child care, and disaster recovery. 

Too many people in our communities are already facing the strain of higher costs and greater uncertainty without a state budget. Each day without funding for health care providers puts access to care at risk. Each day without funding for schools and teachers undermines children’s right to a public education.   

Each day the NC General Assembly ignores the chaos facing families and communities due to ongoing federal funding cuts, state employees are left scrambling to minimize the harm without the support they need — deepening uncertainty for North Carolinians across the state. 

It’s time for our elected leaders to come together around a plan that puts the people of our state first. Pausing tax breaks for profitable corporations and the wealthy isn’t just sound fiscal management — it’s a commitment to keeping daily life affordable and ensuring every North Carolinian has the foundation for well-being.