What They’re Saying In #NCGOV This Week

Local news headlines this week continue to highlight how Attorney General and candidate for governor Josh Stein is working to “protect the people of the state,” while Mark Robinson continues to prove how wrong he is for North Carolina.

Stein has taken on opioids manufacturers and Big Pharma and made them pay. This week, a federal court approved the agreement reached by Stein and Purdue Pharma that will ensure North Carolina receives at least an additional $100 million for recovery and treatment services for people struggling with addiction. North Carolina’s grand total will exceed $1.5 billion.

• WTVD: Federal court ruling clears way for NC’s $100 million opioid settlement
• WNCN: Court approves Purdue Pharma settlement

In Western North Carolina, Stein spoke with local law enforcement, “highlighted the need to recruit and retain law enforcement officers” and “outlined a series of steps he said the state should take to help local departments hire and keep officers.” He also visited downtown Canton to meet with Mayor Zeb Smathers and local leaders devastated by the closure of the paper mill and reiterate his efforts to hold Pactiv Evergreen accountable.

• WLOS: AG Josh Stein visits WNC, explains plans to combat police officer shortages statewide
• Hendersonville Lightning: N.C. Attorney General says more needs to be done to hire and retain law enforcement officers
• Blue Ridge Now: AG Stein speaks on law enforcement staffing, training after alleged police brutality
• WLOS: Pactiv Evergreen violates state contract, Attorney General Stein says in visit to Canton
• Smoky Mountain News: Smathers: ‘We will fight’ Pactiv’s tax break reques

On Tuesday, Stein announced that North Carolina received its payment of $157 million from a settlement against tobacco companies that targeted advertisements at children. In part, the money will go toward supporting rural communities “that were dependent on the tobacco industry.” 

• WECT: North Carolina receives $157 million payment from 1998 tobacco settlement
• WJZY: Attorney General Josh Stein says the state has received its full share of its 2023 payment

Meanwhile, Mark Robinson continues to prove how wrong he is for North Carolina from being “hostile to public education” to “express[ing] a desire to further restrict North Carolina’s abortion laws if elected.”  

• Triad City Beat: A coordinated attack on North Carolina public schools 
• Charlotte Observer: For Republicans, NC’s 12-week abortion ban might just be the first step | Opinion

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