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Dear Friends,
I hope my message finds you and your family healthy and well.
Please share our newsletter so your friends and family can stay up to date with the latest news, information, and resources relevant to the Cooper Administration.
Quinn West Godwin
Office of the Governor
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Governor Proclaims Minority Mental Health Month 2022
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Governor Cooper Signs Executive Order to Help Protect Women’s Access to Reproductive Health Care In North Carolina
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President of Planned Parenthood Action Fund, Alexis McGill Johnson, joins Gov. Cooper to emphasize importance of leaders committed to protecting women’s health care Read the Executive Order
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On July 6, Governor Roy Cooper signed an Executive Order that takes several steps to defend access to reproductive health services in North Carolina.
He was joined by Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund and state reproductive care advocates to highlight actions to protect women’s access to reproductive health care.
“The Supreme Court ripped away the constitutional right to reproductive freedom that women have relied on for five decades,” said Governor Cooper. “For now, it’s up to the states to determine whether women get reproductive health care, and in North Carolina they still can, thanks to my veto and enough legislative votes to sustain it. I am determined to keep it that way and people need to know that their votes in state legislative races this November will determine the fate of women’s health and freedom in our state.”
“Planned Parenthood Action Fund thanks Governor Cooper for responding to the urgency of this moment,” said Alexis McGill Johnson, president of Planned Parenthood Action Fund. “Since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade, North Carolina has become an increasingly critical access point for people traveling for abortion care, including from neighboring South Carolina and Tennessee, where lawmakers in both states have swiftly banned most abortions. Now we must continue to do everything in our power to ensure abortion remains accessible in North Carolina, both for North Carolinians and those forced to flee their own state amid mounting restrictions and cruel bans.”
“For now, abortion is still legal in North Carolina. But our reproductive freedom is hanging by a thread. The Supreme Court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade has paved the way for state lawmakers to pass an all-out ban as soon as next year,” said Jenny Black, President & CEO, Planned Parenthood Votes! South Atlantic. “Our objective is clear: to keep abortion legal in this state, North Carolinians must elect candidates who will protect access to sexual and reproductive health care at the state level and ensure Governor Cooper has the necessary votes to sustain his veto of the all-out attacks on reproductive freedom that are sure to come. The future of abortion access not only for North Carolinians but potentially the entire Southeast region is on the line in 2022, and we thank Governor Cooper for his strong advocacy in support of reproductive freedom today.”
As state bans in the region and across the country go into effect, victims of rape and incest are no longer able to access reproductive health care in certain states. North Carolina is already seeing an influx of patients coming to the state for safe care. According to Planned Parenthood South Atlantic, one third of the patients on their schedule in clinics in North Carolina are from out of state this week. That means there are projected to be at least 10,000 people coming to North Carolina to access reproductive health care services, mostly from states with bans and tighter restrictions. These are just numbers from Planned Parenthood, and do not include estimates from the state’s other trusted providers.
“Abortion is a normal part of reproductive health care. Every person is the expert in their own life, and we must trust them to make their own decisions about their health, their family, and their future,” said Dr. Katherine Farris, Chief Medical Officer, Planned Parenthood South Atlantic. “The highest priority of abortion providers across the state is to make sure our patients can get the care they need. We are already feeling the effects of the dangerous Supreme Court decision as people across the South are forced to travel hundreds, sometimes thousands, of miles for abortion care or potentially be forced to remain pregnant against their wishes. Planned Parenthood South Atlantic health center doors remain open, and we aren’t going anywhere.”
Executive Order 263, signed by the Governor today, helps protect North Carolina doctors and nurses and their patients. It directs Cabinet agencies to coordinate to protect reproductive health care services in North Carolina. As a result of this Order, Cabinet agencies cannot require a pregnant state employee to travel to a state where there are not protections for the health of the pregnant person. It directs the Department of Public Safety (DPS) to work with law enforcement to ensure enforcement of a state law that prohibits anyone from blocking access to a health care facility. The Order also provides protections against extradition for those seeking or providing reproductive health care services in North Carolina and prohibits Cabinet agencies from cooperating in investigations initiated by other states into anyone obtaining or providing reproductive health care that is legal North Carolina. This Order will help make sure patients get the care they need in North Carolina.
Read the Executive Order.
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Five New Projects Approved for NC Film & Entertainment Grants
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Five new television and film projects are approved to receive North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant funds, Governor Roy Cooper announced today. Combined, these projects are expected to produce direct in-state spending of $107 million while creating more than 4,900 job opportunities in the state.
“We’ve worked tirelessly to get the film industry going again in North Carolina and we’re succeeding," said Governor Cooper. "Film, television and digital streaming projects here mean more money and jobs for North Carolinians.”
The first awardee, “Providence”, is an independent feature film about the unexpected consequences that arise when a veteran police officer tries to cover up a mistake made by their rookie trainee. The production is approved for a rebate of up to $1.75 million, with production being completed in Brunswick and New Hanover counties.
The series, “Hightown”, returns to southeast North Carolina for its third season, continuing its storyline about a Massachusetts Fisheries Enforcement Officer whose journey to sobriety is overshadowed by a murder investigation. Based out of EUE/Screen Gems Studios in Wilmington, production is also already underway, with filming continuing through July. The Starz series from Lionsgate Television has been approved for a film and entertainment grant award of $10 million.
The next grant recipient is “AGB and Her Monster”, a feature-length film approved for a film rebate of $600,000. The project will shoot in the greater Charlotte area and is told through the eyes of an African American teenage girl who constructs a monster to combat injustices in her neighborhood. The production is a modern story inspired by the classic tale, “Frankenstein”.
“The Summer I Turned Pretty” is a recently released Amazon Prime Video series that will return to southeastern North Carolina later this year for its second production season. Hailing from wiip in association with Amazon Studios, season 2 of the series has been approved for a grant award of $13.6 million.
Another made-for-Hallmark feature, “To Her with Love,” is approved for a grant award of $975,000 for filming scheduled in and around Rowan and Mecklenburg counties. The made-for-tv/streaming movie will tell the story of a young teacher who secures a job at her former high school and is given free rein to design and head up the arts program. Though she's still hoping to win a grant to teach in London the following year, the kids at the school win her over, and all her future plans suddenly come into question as program funding may be cut by the school board.
These awardees join previously announced projects, “George and Tammy”, an event series for Spectrum Originals and Paramount+; “Something Here”, a country music-inspired feature film; and “The Other Zoey”, a comedy about a co-ed whose life is turned upside down when the most popular guy on campus gets amnesia and mistakes her for his girlfriend. In addition to these projects, North Carolina also welcomed productions this year for several travel shows, local projects including feature films “A Little Prayer” and “A Song for Imogene”, and the new reality series, “Austin Dillon’s Life in the Fast Lane”.
“Following an amazing 2021, which saw productions spend more than $416 million in North Carolina, we are excited to see the momentum continue with these projects in 2022,” said North Carolina Film Office Director Guy Gaster. “Our industry continues to grow and we expect 2022 to be another successful year, resulting in well-paying job opportunities for film professionals in our state as well as millions of dollars being spent with local businesses and suppliers.”
The North Carolina Film and Entertainment Grant provides financial assistance to attract feature film and television productions that will stimulate economic activity and create jobs in the state. Production companies receive no money up front and must meet direct in-state spending requirements to qualify for grant funds, which are paid out following the completion of the project and a successful audit. The program is administered by the N.C. Department of Commerce and promoted by the North Carolina Film Office, part of VisitNC and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina.
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Governor Cooper Signs Two Bills, Vetoes Four Bills and Lets One Bill Become Law
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On Monday, July 11, Governor Roy Cooper signed the following bills into law:
Governor Cooper made the following statement on HB 103:
"Today, I signed the state budget (HB 103) that includes critical investments in education, economic development, transportation and the state workforce. This budget does not include Medicaid Expansion, but the leadership in both the House and Senate now support it and both chambers have passed it. Negotiations are occurring now and we are closer than ever to agreement on Medicaid Expansion, therefore a veto of this budget would be counterproductive."
The budget includes the changes in the law requested by the NC Department of Health and Human Services to ensure flexibility that is currently made possible by the Governor’s Covid-19 State of Emergency. The State of Emergency will be lifted on August 15, 2022.
Governor Cooper also vetoed the following bills:
Governor Cooper made the following statement on HB 49:
"Requiring sheriffs to waive firearm safety and training courses for those who let their concealed weapons permit lapse is yet another way Republicans are working to chip away at commonsense gun safety measures that exist in North Carolina."
Governor Cooper made the following statement on SB 101:
"This law is only about scoring political points and using fear to divide North Carolinians. As the state’s former top law enforcement officer, I know that current law already allows the state to incarcerate and prosecute dangerous criminals regardless of immigration status. This bill is unconstitutional and weakens law enforcement in North Carolina by mandating that sheriffs do the job of federal agents, using local resources that could hurt their ability to protect their counties."
Governor Cooper made the following statement on SB 593:
"Not only is this bill blatantly unconstitutional, it continues this legislature’s push to give more control of education to Boards of Trustees made up of partisan political appointees. First the legislature seized control of all UNC system trustee appointments from the Executive Branch. They did the same with two of the state’s community college boards. And now, this bill removes administration of the important NC Schools for the Deaf and Blind from the State Board of Education to a newly created board with 80% of the trustees, who may or may not know how to run these schools, appointed by the legislature. The students at the schools deserve steady, knowledgeable leadership rather than becoming a part of the erosion of statewide education oversight."
Governor Cooper made the following statement on HB 823:
"This bill was well-intended to better serve children, but in the hurried conclusion of session it included critical flaws, for example, limiting departments of social services’ ability to refer children who have come to the attention of child welfare to pediatric specialists for appropriate medical diagnosis and treatment. Legislators should continue to work with the NC Department of Health and Human Services, the Child Advocacy Centers, and others to fix these flaws and move this work forward in future legislation to best help children."
Governor Cooper also made the following statement about HB 911: Regulatory Reform Act of 2022 becoming law without his signature:
"This bill contains necessary changes in several areas but will become law without my signature due to a provision involving confessions of judgement that could be unfair to consumers. Weakening their due process rights in this way could also conflict with federal regulations that recognize confessions of judgement are harmful to consumers. Legislators have pledged to eliminate this provision and I expect them to be true to their word."
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NCDHHS Launches Raise NC to Highlight the Value of the State’s Early Care and Learning Network
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The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services has launched Raise North Carolina (RaiseNC.nc.gov), a public education campaign about the value of the state’s early care and learning network—and how greater support and investments deliver for children, families, and North Carolina’s economy.
Led by Division of Child Development and Early Education (DCDEE) Raise North Carolina launches with public service announcements featuring local families, providers and community leaders discussing North Carolina’s nationally recognized early care and learning network. Outreach will include social media, television and digital ads in partnership with the many organizations and leaders that support our early care and learning network and educators.
The COVID-19 pandemic put a spotlight on the critical role of early care and learning network in supporting the economy. North Carolina used funds from the federal American Rescue Plan Act to make a historic $805 million investment in early care and education programs, providing temporary financial assistance to help sustain their operations. Even so, the network remains under strain and requires additional support to retain, train and recruit quality early childhood teachers and serve the North Carolina families that rely on them.
The campaign website—RaiseNC.nc.gov—serves as a hub for the public to learn more, support quality early care and learning, and help raise North Carolina. Easy-to-use education and promotional materials, including flyers, sample social media posts, graphics, talking points and more are available in an online toolkit.
Investing in early childhood education helps us all Raise NC. Visit RaiseNC.nc.gov to learn how you can get involved and make a difference in the future of North Carolina.
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CNBC Names North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2022
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CNBC has named North Carolina as America’s Top State for Business in 2022. This morning, Governor Roy Cooper joined CNBC’s Scott Cohn at the Oceanic at the Crystal Pier in Wrightsville Beach for a live broadcast where the winner was revealed.
“North Carolina is the best place in America to do business and the main reason is our people,” Governor Cooper said. “This is a great honor, and we’re going to continue to work with our state legislature, businesses, education leaders and employees to build the talented workforce and resilient infrastructure needed to support the high paying jobs of the next generation.”
“North Carolina is proud of its economic success that continues to garner national recognition like being CNBC’s Best State for Business,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Last year, we announced more than 24,000 new jobs and investments exceeding $10.1 billion from future-focused companies in fields like biotechnology, computers, and electric vehicles. There are many factors for our success, including our central East Coast location, premier quality of life and low cost of business, but our greatest asset is our diverse and highly-skilled workforce that is supported by our top-rated education system. We will continue to focus on creative partnerships for talent development as we evolve to meet the demands of existing, new, and future employers like Apple, Toyota, and FUJIFILM that call North Carolina home.”
“To say North Carolina had a record year in 2021 would be an understatement,” said Gene McLaurin, chair of the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina’s (EDPNC) Board of Directors. “Our economic development successes would not have been possible without collaboration between Governor Cooper, the North Carolina General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the EDPNC, and other public and private partnerships. Because of that collaboration, we have been able to create an award-winning business climate that the biggest companies in the world want to experience and use for their own successes, as well as for the successes of North Carolinians.”
The CNBC study looks at 88 metrics in ten categories of competitiveness. North Carolina ranked highly in the Economy, Access to Capital and Technology and Innovation categories. North Carolina has placed in the top 5 three times since 2017.
Since Governor Cooper took office in 2017, North Carolina has announced over 95,000 jobs including announcements from companies like Apple, Vinfast, Toyota and Centene Corp. This historic recruitment success in both rural and urban parts of North Carolina continues to add value to the manufacturing and clean energy industries already thriving here.
Governor Cooper has been focused on developing and training a strong workforce. In May 2021, the Governor launched the Longleaf Commitment Community College Grants Program that ensures that recent high school graduates from low- and middle-income families will receive at least $2,800 in federal and state grants to cover tuition and most fees at any of the state’s 58 community colleges. In July 2018, the Governor announced the Finish Line Grants Program to help community college students who face unforeseen financial emergencies complete their training.
In October 2021, Governor Cooper launched the North Carolina Child Care Stabilization Grants, a $805 million investment in the state’s early care and learning child care programs. These funds helped child care centers with recruitment and retention and help parents get back to work.
Governor Cooper has focused on supporting businesses through the pandemic, developing partnerships to ensure that workers and consumers could visit businesses safely. He also invested resources to help businesses hardest hit by the pandemic, providing direct cash support to the hospitality industry through the Business Recovery Grant Program, and keeping women- and minority-owned businesses afloat with the ReTool NC Program.
Investments like these helped North Carolina to have among the lowest COVID-related deaths, as well as job losses per capita during the pandemic. According to the NC Department of Commerce, North Carolina’s economy fully returned to the employment level and GDP it enjoyed before the COVID-19 pandemic by mid-2021, well ahead of the nation, and North Carolina’s unemployment rate is at a 22-year low.
Watch Governor Cooper’s interview.
Read the CNBC article.
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Gov. Cooper Participates in White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and Workforce with Vice President Harris
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North Carolina's workforce is one of our greatest assets. On Wednesday, July 13, Governor Cooper joined Vice President Kamala Harris at the White House Summit on the American Rescue Plan and Workforce to discuss how ARP funds are helping boost our economy and strengthen our infrastructure.
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North Carolina Tops Another National Business Climate Ranking
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Business Facilities Magazine names the state the best business climate in America
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North Carolina has been named the #1 Best Business Climate in Business Facilities’ annual rankings, rising from last year’s second place ranking. This announcement from the national economic development magazine comes on the heels of the state being ranked #1 in CNBC’s “America’s Top States for Business” list.
“We appreciate Business Facilities Magazine for recognizing North Carolina as the Best Business Climate,” said North Carolina Commerce Secretary Machelle Baker Sanders. “Despite the economic impacts of the pandemic, 2021 was a record year for North Carolina with 185 economic development projects, announcing more than 24,000 new jobs and $10.1 billion in investments.”
“North Carolina hit a new level for business attraction and retention over the past 12 months, and our ranking of the state for Best Business Climate recognizes what an increasing number of companies have recognized by locating or expanding there,” said BF Editorial Director Anne Cosgrove. “This ranking also looks beyond the sheer numbers, evaluating diversity of growth sectors, incentives, workforce development and training, and education partnerships.”
Multiple large investments were the driving force in North Carolina's #1 ranking. In March, the N.C. Department of Commerce announced a deal with VinFast, a Vietnamese auto manufacturer building a new line of electric vehicles. VinFast’s $2 billion investment is the largest economic development announcement in the state’s history, and will create 7,500 jobs.
“These achievements are the result of our strategic and diligent work that continues to propel North Carolina toward a more resilient future,” said Secretary Sanders. “Our diverse, world-class workforce, shovel-ready locations, and top-tier education system combined with a stellar quality of life and low-cost of living and doing business has attracted innovative projects and global companies like Apple, Fujifilm, and Toyota. These big wins are ushering North Carolina to an even brighter future.”
The Annual Rankings Report highlighted North Carolina in several additional categories, placing the Tar Heel State in the top 10 for: Tech Talent Pipeline; Customized Workforce Training; Food Processing; BioPharma; Semiconductors; Manufacturing Output (GDP); Offshore Wind Power (MW by 2030); Solar Installed Capacity; and Foreign Direct Investment for both project and capital investment.
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North Carolina is Aging. Will We be Prepared?
Our population is aging. Approximately 1.7 million North Carolinians are age 65 or older and that number is growing. By 2030, fully one in five will be older than 65 and for the first time ever, North Carolina will be comprised more of older adults than children.
Our state’s aging population has become a cause for concern, as the nature of urban and rural development, daily living, work, leisure and retirement are expected to change in order to keep up.
In addition to our growing metro areas, North Carolina is a rural state, with 80 of our 100 counties being outside major metropolitan areas. Approximately 2.2 million people call rural North Carolina home.
What is Age My Way NC?
Age My Way NC is a collaborative effort between the State of North Carolina and AARP NC to help identify priorities for making our neighborhoods, towns, cities, and rural areas great places for people of all ages.
Age My Way NC is surveying people 45 plus all across the state to identify priorities such as safe and walkable streets; age-friendly housing and transportation options; access to needed services; and opportunities for residents of all ages to participate in community life.
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TREC Learning Series: The Impact of Fines and Fees on North Carolina’s Criminal Justice System
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The Task Force for Racial Equity in Criminal Justice will be hosting a virtual learning session considering the impact of fines and fees on North Carolina’s criminal justice system Friday, July 22 at 10:00 am. Over the past two years, the Task Force has worked with numerous stakeholders to reexamine the role of fines and fees from numerous perspectives. As part of that effort, this learning session is aimed at fostering public conversation about the ways fines and fees impact the courts, local and state governments, and individuals and communities burdened by often unpayable financial obligations.
This Friday’s learning session will bring together the following speakers:
- Representative Marcia Morey, North Carolina House of Representatives (District 30) (moderator)
- Judge Vince Rozier, Wake County Superior Court
- Laura Holland, Director, Fair Chance Criminal Justice Project at the North Carolina Justice Center
- Vikrant Reddy, Senior Fellow, Charles Koch Institute
- Lauren Robbins, Litigation Paralegal, ACLU of North Carolina
You may register for the session by clicking HERE. We hope that you can join us during this session. If you have any questions about this event please do not hesitate to contact Reginald Boney reginald.boney@ncdps.gov.
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