NC Gov. Stein seeks $1B in new Helene recovery aid for ‘immediate needs.’ What he wants
Gov. Josh Stein is asking the N.C. General Assembly for $1 billion in Helene storm recovery money this spring to help Western North Carolina address its “immediate needs.”
Stein, a Democrat, wants the legislature to spend $1.07 billion in a bill to be passed soon, instead of waiting for the state budget bill for the coming fiscal year that begins July 1. He told lawmakers in a letter he’ll make more requests later for the overall budget.
Republican House Speaker Destin Hall told reporters as the legislative session began in January that a Helene funding bill topped his to-do list, so Stein is making his pitch ahead of that bill being written.
The state has already allocated about $1.1 billion in multiple bills in late 2024, starting with a first wave of $273 million. The second Helene bill was much larger, for $604 million, which was less than then-Gov. Roy Cooper requested.
The third bill set aside another $227 million. Cooper vetoed that bill because it also stripped powers from the governor and attorney general, but it was later overturned by Republicans. However at least one Western North Carolina Republican, as well as Democrats, criticized that December legislation for not doing enough.
Stein made his announcement Monday in hard-hit Henderson County.
Here’s what Stein wants to spend, and where:
Business, tourism Helene funding
▪ $100 million for Helene business recovery grants
▪ $100 million on local government revenue replacement grants
▪ $95 million on VisitNC tourism, small business infrastructure revitalization grants and to expand the Dogwood Health Trust partnership grants for businesses
Money for private roads, bridges
Stein is requesting $310 million to repair infrastructure damaged or destroyed in the storm. That includes:
▪ $135 million for repair and renovations at state-owned places including state parks and jails
▪ $75 million to replace and repair private roads and bridges
▪ $25 million to repair and restore local parks
Helene housing recovery
For this round of funding, Stein is asking for $263 million for housing:
▪ $150 million for the Helene Home Reconstruction and Repair Program to start rebuilding an estimated 5,100 homes
▪ $113 million for rent, mortgage and utility assistance, affordable housing, minor home repairs, disaster legal services, and housing stabilization and homelessness assistance
Farmland assistance
Of $146 million in the proposal to help farms, Stein proposes $100 million for waterway and land rehabilitation, which including debris removal
Summer learning, food banks
Stein’s proposal also asks for $56 million for K-12 summer learning programs, food banks and emergency student aid grants for college students in affected areas.
What happens next
Stein sent his detailed request to lawmakers on Monday, which you can read here.
Stein wrote to General Assembly leaders that with the state facing nearly $60 billion in damages, four months after the storm a “true recovery from a disaster of this magnitude will require a powerful, coordinated, and timely response.”
“We cannot ask the residents who are suffering today to wait until next fiscal year for relief. Their needs are dire and immediate; the state’s response should be immediate,” he wrote, adding that he and lawmakers must work together with urgency.
The legislature is controlled by Republicans, who have also already signaled they want to move quickly on the next round of Helene recovery funding rather than waiting for the state budget that should be passed this summer. Hall told reporters he has met with Stein multiple times already.
Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger’s office is reviewing Stein’s request.
“The General Assembly has already put more than $1 billion toward Hurricane Helene recovery, but there is still more we can do. The Senate anticipates considering Hurricane Helene-specific legislation in the coming weeks and is reviewing Gov. Stein’s proposal,” Berger spokesperson Lauren Horsch told The News & Observer on Monday.
This story was originally published February 3, 2025 at 11:47 AM with the headline "NC Gov. Stein seeks $1B in new Helene recovery aid for ‘immediate needs.’ What he wants."
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