Dear Friends, 

We hope our message finds you and your family healthy and well.

Happy Pride Month! Throughout June, we’ve enjoyed celebrating the many contributions made by the LGBTQI+ community to our history, society, and cultures.

North Carolina’s population is approximately 4% LGBTQI+. As we work to become a more inclusive state, North Carolina recognizes that LGBTQI+ Americans still face discrimination. We must continue to advocate for and defend the rights of LGBTQI+ individuals to ensure that all people are treated with dignity and respect. While Pride is celebrated in June, we must strive to uphold and respect the LGBTQI+ community all year round.

Happy Juneteenth! Juneteenth marks an important day towards freedom and equality to all. In celebration of Juneteenth, we acknowledge those who paved the way for an inclusive society, while recognizing the work that still needs to be done. North Carolina remains committed to equality, inclusivity, and social justice. We hope that Juneteenth served as time of reflection to take action in fostering a society where every individual is equal.

In June, we also celebrated World Refugee Day! In celebration of World Refugee Day, we honor and recognize the resilience and determination of these individuals as well as their many contributions to our society. Let us stand together to build and advocate for a welcoming world, where every person, regardless of their background, can find a place that they can proudly call home!

The Office of the Governor hopes you all have a joyful and safe Fourth of July celebration!

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. 

Jonathan Garcia Cortez, Office of Public Engagement and Inclusion Intern

Office of the Governor

Governor Cooper Proclaims LGBTQ+ Pride Month 2023

Governor Cooper Proclaims June 19th at Juneteenth Day

“Juneteenth is a day to celebrate Black Heritage, history, and freedom. It's also an opportunity for us to reflect on where we've been and where we're going as a country.”

– Governor Cooper via Twitter

Governor Roy Cooper has proclaimed June 19 as Juneteenth Day to honor the oldest known commemoration of the abolition of slavery in the United States. The Governor signed the proclamation at a Juneteenth event at the NC Museum of History on June 16th, 2023.

“Juneteenth is a day to celebrate Black heritage, history and freedom,” said Governor Cooper. “It’s also an opportunity to reflect on the progress we have made while understanding that we must tackle the longstanding inequities and racism that still exist."

Governor Cooper Statement on Supreme Court Rejection of NC Republicans' Fringe Election Theory

Governor Cooper Signs Sports Wagering Into Law

“Sports wagering will help North Carolina compete while supporting our economy and schools.”

– Governor Cooper via Twitter

On June 14th, Governor Roy Cooper signed House Bill 347, Sports Wagering/Horse Racing Wagering, into law. The bipartisan legislation will authorize and regulate wagering on professional, college and amateur sports and on horse racing in North Carolina.

“This legislation will help North Carolina compete, make sure taxpayers receive a share, create many good-paying jobs and foster strong economic opportunity,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “As we move forward, we should work to make sure more of the revenue is used to invest in our public schools, teachers and students.”

Governor Cooper Launches NC S.A.F.E. Initiative to Promote Safe Gun Storage

On June 5th, Governor Roy Cooper announced the NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) initiative to urge North Carolinians to take action to safely store their firearms and save lives. This call to action highlights firearm safety in response to mounting numbers of deaths of children and youth from firearm injury, along with a surge in firearm thefts across the state.

“For those of us who own guns, it’s our responsibility to keep them safe and out of the wrong hands,” said Governor Cooper. “Safe storage is an essential part of responsible gun ownership, and this initiative will encourage North Carolinians to safely secure their firearms in their homes and vehicles.”

There is an urgent need for North Carolinians to safely secure their firearms in order to decrease childhood deaths, decrease firearm thefts, and increase the safety of homes and communities. The NC S.A.F.E. (Secure All Firearms Effectively) is a new statewide initiative that provides resources on best practices for firearm storage and safety. NC S.A.F.E. is not associated with any advocacy-based initiatives related to gun laws or regulations.

“Children are gaining access to firearms in their homes, and gun theft — especially from cars — is on the rise throughout North Carolina,” said NC Department of Public Safety Deputy Secretary William Lassiter. “Today, more than 20% of youth car break-ins involve guns. That’s double what we’ve seen in recent years. We all have to work together to stop guns from getting into the wrong hands.”

“Too many of our children are dying from gun violence, and it simply does not have to be this way,” said Attorney General Josh Stein. “If you own a gun or are thinking of buying one, lock it up and keep it secured so it’s not stolen or lost. Our children’s lives may depend on it.”  

The NC S.A.F.E. initiative is part of Governor Cooper’s ongoing commitment to reducing violence and strengthening public safety in North Carolina. In March 2023, the Governor announced the creation of a statewide Office of Violence Prevention focused on reducing violence and firearm misuse in North Carolina. In 2019, the Governor directed state agencies to close crime reporting gaps between state and federal agencies. The Governor’s budget proposal includes investments in school and community safety, including the Office of Violence Prevention.

Firearms are the leading cause of injury-related death among children and youth in North Carolina. Last year, a Johnston County 2-year-old died from a single gunshot wound to the head after finding his father’s loaded handgun in the front seat of the family’s truck. In April, a 7-year-old in Robeson County died while visiting a family member after the child found a loaded gun inside the residence. Nationwide, an estimated 82% of adolescent suicides by firearm involve a gun belonging to a family member.

Gun thefts have increased across North Carolina. In Raleigh, 211 firearms were stolen from vehicles in 2020. In Durham, 62% of the approximately 185 gun thefts from cars in 2022 were from unlocked cars — meaning these were preventable crimes. According to a 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System survey, more than half of the firearms that were stored loaded at home—already a safety risk--were also unlocked.

Gun owners in North Carolina can prevent firearm injuries and deaths as well as gun theft through safe storage. There are many ways to effectively secure a gun, including cable locks, trigger locks, gun safes, lockboxes, and gun cases. To secure guns in vehicles, NC S.A.F.E. urges gun owners to both lock their vehicle and safely secure the firearm with a locking device.

Governor Cooper has proclaimed June 4 – 10 as NC S.A.F.E. Week of Action to raise awareness about the importance of safe gun storage. As part of this week, representatives of the North Carolina Department of Public Safety will be traveling across the state to spread this message along with local law enforcement, juvenile justice and other partners in public safety. In addition, NC S.A.F.E. will be encouraging all North Carolinians to secure their firearms effectively and to insist others do in their communities to save lives.

Read about NC S.A.F.E initiative in full here.

Governor Cooper Announces North Carolina Will Receive More Than $1.5 Billion in Federal Funding to Expand High-Speed Internet Access Across the State

On June 26th, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) awarded North Carolina more than $1.5 billion to fund high-speed internet infrastructure under the federal Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) program.

“State and federal partnerships are critical to helping us close the digital divide and we are grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for this historic investment to expand high-speed Internet access in North Carolina,” said Governor Cooper. “Through this program, we will continue to make tremendous progress in making sure every household and business in our state is connected.”

The N.C. Department of Information Technology’s (NCDIT’s) Division of Broadband and Digital Equity has developed a draft five-year plan outlining how the agency will invest BEAD funding across North Carolina. The draft plan has been posted online and is available for public comment via email to NCDITpartnerfeedback@nc.gov until Monday, July 17 at 5 p.m. The division will submit the five-year plan to NTIA by July 29 as part of the process for North Carolina to access its allocated BEAD funding.

“We continue to work tirelessly to achieve the best return on our investment as we allocate federal resources to address unserved and underserved locations across North Carolina,” said NCDIT Secretary and State Chief Information Officer Jim Weaver. “We appreciate the strong partnerships that have helped us identify needs throughout the state so that we can take strategic steps to reach every North Carolinian.”

The broadband division recently announced that its challenges to the Federal Communications Commission’s National Broadband Map aided in surfacing 115,000 additional North Carolina homes and businesses that do not have access to high-speed internet, adding more new unserved locations to the map through this process than any other state. These additions increased North Carolina’s funding allocation from the BEAD program.

The BEAD program received funding through the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law and is part of the Biden-Harris Administration’s Internet For All initiative. More information about the initiative and the state’s other Internet For All funding can be found on this fact sheet.

Governor's Commission on the Governance of Public Universities in North Carolina Approves Final Report on Strengthening Public Universities in North Carolina

On June 26th, the Governor’s Commission on the Governance of Public Universities in North Carolina approved the final report highlighting recommendations for strengthening the public university governance system for generations to come. The Commission was created to advise the Office of the Governor and the public on the status of public university governance in North Carolina and on strategies to successfully position the state’s universities to meet the needs of future students.

“The University of North Carolina System is a priceless gem that educates the leaders of tomorrow, explores new horizons in research and bolsters our state’s economic recruitment,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “The implementation of all or parts of this report will strengthen our system of higher education for generations to come.”

Governor Cooper Announces Third Round of Rural Transformation Grants Awarded to Boost Local Economies

On June 15th, Governor Roy Cooper announced that 29 local governments in rural areas across the state have been awarded grants from the Rural Transformation Grant Fund, a robust source of support for rural economic development projects in North Carolina. A total of $8 million will be issued in this third round of grantmaking from the Fund, which helps local governments overcome challenges that limit their economic competitiveness. The North Carolina Department of Commerce and its Rural Economic Development Division administers the fund.

“These transformative grants can make a real difference in rural communities by reviving downtowns and strengthening neighborhoods,” said Governor Roy Cooper. “These funds, with the support of our rural development team at the Department of Commerce, will bring more economic opportunity to people across the state.” 

The Rural Transformation Grant Fund, the centerpiece of a broader Rural Engagement and Investment Program from Commerce, addresses a wide variety of needs, from revitalizing downtown districts, building the capacity of local government staffs, revitalizing neighborhoods, fostering small business recovery, and generally supporting economic growth initiatives. 

Governor Cooper Urges North Carolinians to Prepare for Hurricane Season

Governor Roy Cooper is urging North Carolinians to learn about and prepare for the dangers of severe tropical weather in preparation for the upcoming hurricane season. Hurricane season runs from June 1 through November 30.

“Severe tropical weather can have devastating impacts on communities across the state and the best way to prepare is by having a family emergency plan and kit,” Governor Cooper said. “These small steps now can bring big relief for people trying to stay safe during a storm and recover more quickly after it’s over.”

“Part of being prepared includes practicing what is in your emergency plan, so that everyone in your household is comfortable with their role in the plan,” said North Carolina Emergency Management Director, Will Ray.

The plan should include details on how and where you would evacuate, a meeting place, and important phone numbers. Everyone should have an evacuation plan to stay with family or friends, or at a hotel outside the affected area. Staying at a public shelter should be a last resort, not your primary plan. Offer to share your home as a shelter location for family or friends from coastal or flood prone areas.

Governor Cooper also emphasizes that all North Carolinians should be looking out for one another by checking on their neighbors, especially the elderly who may be more vulnerable.

Residents should pay attention to weather and evacuation information from local news media and have a battery-powered radio in case there is a power outage. If asked to evacuate, residents should promptly follow evacuation instructions.

To help mitigate damage to your home from severe weather, people can take common sense measures such as trimming trees, covering windows, securing loose outdoor items before severe weather strikes.

North Carolina continues to recover from the devastating effects of multiple large storms including Hurricane Ian, which brought wind, rain, isolated tornadoes and power outages to North Carolina. Tropical Storm Fred caused devastation and six deaths in Western North Carolina two years ago. In 2020 Hurricane Isaias and the remnants of Hurricane Eta pummeled parts of the state; as did Hurricane Dorian in 2019; Hurricane Florence, Tropical Storms Michael and Alberto in 2018; and Hurricane Matthew in 2016.

More information on emergency planning, preparedness and hurricanes is online at, https://www.readync.gov/.

On the Anniversary of the Fall of Roe, Governor Cooper Condemns Republican Attacks on Women's Reproductive Rights

Governor Roy Cooper, "Your Zip Code Should Not Determine Your Rights" - Newsweek Opinion Piece

On the one-year anniversary of the U.S. Supreme Court’s overturning of Roe v. Wade and the subsequent enforcement of cruel abortion bans in states across the country, Governor Roy Cooper wrote an opinion piece in Newsweek to condemn ongoing Republican attacks on women’s reproductive rights and urge voters to make their voices heard.

Read the Governor's column below.

Governor Cooper Welcomes 15 New Americans at USCIS' Naturalization Ceremony Hosted at the NC Executive Mansion

In celebration of World Refugee Day on June 20th, Governor Cooper welcomed 15 New Americans to the NC Executive Mansion for USCIS' Natualization Ceremony. The event marks the first ever citizenship ceremony hosted at the NC Executive Mansion.

Representing countries worldwide, the New Americans from the countries of Afghanistan, Burma, Chile, Democratic Republic of Congo, Eritrea, Iraq, Laos, and Ukraine took the Oath of Allegiance.

"From Afghanistan to Chile to Laos to Ukraine, it's great to see people from all across the world become Americans. Diversity strengthens our communities, economy, and quality of life.' - Governor Cooper via Twitter

Governor Cooper was joined in welcoming the New Americans by USCIS Chief Eva Millona, cabinet secretaries, advocates, elected officials, diplomats, and community members.

“My citizenship was automatic. I was born here. Your citizenship has been earned,” said Gov. Roy Cooper during his congratulatory remarks.

Governor Cooper Hosts Pride Month Celebration at the NC Executive Mansion

On June 23rd, Governor Cooper hosted a Pride Month celebration at the NC Executive Mansion. Governor Cooper was joined by community advocates and government leaders to provide remarks on the importance of continuing to promote inclusivity for all.

"Every person deserves to be who they are and love who they love." - Governor Cooper via Twitter

Governor Cooper Hosts Music at the Mansion

On June 20th, Governor Cooper, alongside the First Lady, hosted Music at the Mansion. This event is the first show hosted at the NC Executive Mansion since 2020.

In attendance at the event were Tyrone Jefferson, Toni Tupponce, Brian Miller, Van Sachs, Dr. Carroll Dashiell, Marcus Parker, and Al Strong.

Governor Cooper Announces $3 Million to Help More North Carolinians Become Fully Licensed Teachers and Tackle Teacher Vacancies

On June 8th, Governor Roy Cooper directed $3 million in new federal funding to provide support for aspiring teachers to become fully licensed teachers in North Carolina. These funds will be used to cover the cost of licensure exams and licensure exam preparation for beginning teachers. The Governor is partnering with the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction (NCDPI) and TeachNC on the initiative.

"Every student deserves to have a qualified teacher and the opportunity to receive a high-quality education,” said Governor Cooper. “This funding will help ensure that exam fees don’t deter excellent, diverse talent from reaching – and staying in – the classroom. We need the legislature to make meaningful investments in teacher pay raises to help North Carolina fight our high teacher vacancy rate.”

Governor Cooper's Meets with Industry Leaders to Discuss how the Inflation Reduction Act is Making Critical Investments to Support Working Families and Protect Our Planet

U.S. Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm visited North Carolina on June 26th to promote President Biden's climate policies, clean energy investments and new jobs. Secretary Granholm met with Governor Cooper to discuss how North Carolina has benefitted from President Biden's "Investing in America" agenda.

Part of President Biden's Investing in America Agenda includes the Inflation Reduction Act, which aims to make the nation more resilient to growing threats to health and well-being and driving critical economic investments to historically underserved communities.

In North Carolina, the Inflation Reduction Act will strengthen the economy through the creation of energy jobs, helping small businesses through tax credits, and promote clean transportation through discounts for the purchase of an electric vehicle.

"We're deeply grateful to the Biden-Harris administration for all of the investments that you're making in North Carolina to bring us to a clean energy future."

Governor Cooper's Statement on GOP State Board of Elections Power Grab

BE IN THE KNOW

NC Medicaid has provided more than 60,000 free services to qualifying members through the Healthy Opportunities Pilot program!

Learn more about the program:

https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.../healthy-opportunities-pilots

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NC Medicaid ha brindado más de 60,000 servicios gratuitos a miembros que califican a través del programa piloto Healthy Opportunities. 

Visite para obtener más información sobre el programa: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/.../healthy-opportunities-pilots

Celebrate YOU! 

Now is the time to take the first steps! 

• Visit your doctor or local health department to get tested.

• Get vaccinated against mpox, if eligible. Protection from the risk of infection and severe disease for you and your community starts after the first dose.

• Get any unfamiliar rash checked by a healthcare professional so treatment can begin immediately.

Learn more: https://www.ncdhhs.gov/TakePrideNow

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¡Celébrate! ¡Ahora es el momento de dar los primeros pasos! 

• Visita a tu médico o departamento de salud local para hacerte la prueba.

• Vacúnate contra la viruela símica, si eres elegible. La protección contra el riesgo de infección y enfermedad grave para ti y tu comunidad comienza después de la primera dosis.

• Visita a un profesional de la salud para que revise cualquier erupción desconocida para que el tratamiento pueda comenzar de inmediato.

Visita, https://www.ncdhhs.gov/TakePrideNow, para obtener más información.

FUNDING OPPORTUNITY

More than 600,000 NC households are now participating in the US Federal Communications Commission’s Affordable Connectivity Program to save $30/month on high-speed internet. Households may qualify by income, participation in government assistance programs or other options. Learn more and apply here.

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