Governor Cooper Delivers His First State of the State Address

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RALEIGH, NC — In his first State of the State address as governor, Roy Cooper talked about his vision for North Carolina and emphasized areas where law makers can find common ground to move the state forward.

During his speech, Governor Cooper maintained his goal of working towards making NC a healthier, richer, and more educated state during his time in office. Cooper discussed areas like job recruitment, teacher pay, fighting the opioid crisis, infrastructure, and natural disaster recovery as areas where legislators can find common ground.

Read Governor Roy Cooper’s full State of the State Address

Cooper also highlighted several guests from across the state which he felt best represented North Carolina and its communities. Among those guests was Police Chief Tom Bashore from the governor’s home town of Nashville, NC. Chief Bashore provided Cooper with a great example of programs being initiated to combat and prevent opioid addiction within that community, which is something Cooper hopes can be adopted statewide.

In his closing remarks, Cooper promised to be a governor for all that will fight to maintain North Carolina as a state of promise.

“I promise to listen, to engage, to build consensus, to compromise when possible. I promise to fight only when we can’t come to agreement or when you leave me no choice. I promise to make sure state government employs people who look like the people it represents.”

Immediately following Governor Cooper’s address, Senator Phil Berger issued the Republican’s response.

Read the Republican’s full response to Gov. Cooper’s State of the State Address