WUNC's Capitol Reporter Jorge Valencia was at Governor McCrory's State of the State speech Wednesday. He live-tweeted the proceedings:
I'm here in the gallery of the North Carolina House of Representatives to see Gov. @PatMcCroryNC give is biannual State of the State address
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
My colleague @j_tibs is reporting for us. I'm here because I wanted to see for myself how the house, senate and visitors react to his speech
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
Gov. teared up introducing NC Highway Patrol Tpr. Michael Potts, who was shot minutes before the governor's 2012 State of the State speech.
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
The Gov. is celebrating the state's plan to pay off $2.5B to federal govt. this year, three years ahead of schedule. #ncgov #SOTS
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
To pay off this debt, North Carolina trimmed benefits to people who are unemployed.
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory says he doesnt have a "clear and concise job creation toolbox," likely a reference to last year's stalled efforts for biz incentives
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory says he's going to submit an economic development bill that he wants to be passed "in weeks, not months." #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
> @PatMcCroryNC moments before entering chamber. MT @ncinsider: Pep talk from chief of staff. #ncpol #ncga pic.twitter.com/lNpwur9IPv
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory is congratulating Mecklenburg teacher James Ford [@JEFordNCTOY] for being teacher of the year, and Charlotte Mag's person of year.
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory: "That's the kind of respect teachers should get."
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
Now, McCrory is outlining his plan for teachers. He says teachers should be rewarded for results-driven leadership. #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory is reiterating his promise to raise base teacher pay to $35K. #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
The governor just got a standing ovation for that line. #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory tells Education Secretay June Adkison to eliminate unnecessary testing to give teachers "the gift of time." He gets applause #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory: "The bureaucracy should never stand between teachers' talents and their students' needs." #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
The governor is referring to NC's teacher certification process. #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory says he wants NC to be "the third vertex in America's innovation triangle." So: SF, Boston and NC #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory: NC DMV offices will start accepting credit and debit cards this year. "We're coming into the 21st century." #ncgov He gets applause
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory says he's working on a plan to cover uninsured. "A North Carolina plan, not a Washington plan." #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
Is McCrory talking about Medicaid expansion? Republican-led states have passed expansion adding their own tweaks to Medicaid. #ncgov #SOTS
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory says he's working on a plan with public safety secretary to address gangs in North Carolina. #ncgov #sots
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
McCrory: An NC corrections officer was attacked every 11 hours in 2014. #ncgov #sots I didn't realize gangs were this big of issue across NC
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
NC Senate Leader @SenatorBerger's response to Gov. McCrory's State of the State is is, as expected, lukewarm [1/2] #SOTS #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
Berger: "Senate Republicans look forward to reviewing and considering the details of his proposals in the coming weeks." #SOTS #ncgov
— Jorge Valencia (@jorgeavalencia) February 5, 2015
Read reporter Jeff Tiberii's account of the evening here.
