Gov. Josh Stein warned that ongoing staffing shortages could worsen and put North Carolinians at risk if state lawmakers don’t act soon.
CHARLOTTE, N.C. โ Gov. Josh Stein is calling for stronger support for law enforcement across North Carolina, warning that staffing shortages could worsen without action on a state budget.
The governor spoke Thursday at Central Piedmont Community College, where he was joined by law enforcement leaders advocating for higher pay and more resources.
Stein says North Carolina has gone two years without passing a full state budget, a situation he argues is putting added strain on public safety agencies.
โJust as they step up to serve us, we must step up to support them,โ Stein said.
To address immediate needs, Stein is proposing a $1.4 billion โcritical needs budgetโ aimed at filling urgent gaps while lawmakers continue negotiations on a broader spending plan. The proposal includes more than $211 million for public safety, with funding for pay raises for state troopers, correctional officers and other law enforcement roles.
โWeโre asking people to put themselves in a very demanding job, and make less money than they would if they worked at a Costco,โ Stein said.
Law enforcement leaders say low pay is already impacting staffing and retention.
โEvery time we lose a trooper, we lose years of experience and leadership that helps keep our highways and communities safe,โ a state trooper shared.
Officials with the North Carolina State Bureau of Investigation say theyโre also seeing increased demand without additional funding.
โWhile our budget has remained constant, our caseload has increased,โ SBI Chief of Staff Brent Culbertson explained.
Steinโs proposal also includes raises for health care workers in state facilities, including nurses and behavioral health staff, an effort he says will strengthen both safety and care across North Carolina.
The governor is continuing to urge lawmakers to move forward with the plan as budget negotiations remain ongoing.
Contact Anna King at aking2@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X, and Instagram.
