Raleigh -- May 26, 2026: In his latest "NC Strong" update, Governor Josh Stein rolled out a sweeping series of initiatives targeting public safety recruitment, government integrity, and support for the state's massive military community. The updates combine significant budget proposals with two newly signed executive orders aimed at tightening state employee ethics and streamlining veteran support.
Here is a breakdown of the major actions taken and what they mean for North Carolinians.
1. Massive Pay Boosts Proposed for Law Enforcement
Marking Law Enforcement Appreciation Month, Governor Stein emphasized the critical need to support frontline personnel. The highlight of the ceremony was the formal induction of Sergeant David Rowland of the Gastonia Police Department into the prestigious Order of the Longleaf Pine. His tracking partner, K-9 Bo, received a formal "Certificate of Pup-preciation" for their combined efforts in saving a missing teenager with special needs earlier this year and rescuing an abducted child in 2024.
To address long-term retention across the state, Stein’s recommended budget for Fiscal Year 2026-2027 includes:
A 15% salary increase across the biennium for all state law enforcement officers.
Targeted hiring bonuses specifically earmarked for recent Basic Law Enforcement Training (BLET) graduates.
Recruitment incentives designed to attract qualified out-of-state transfers to local and state agencies.
2. Fast-Tracking Correctional Officer Hiring
North Carolina currently ranks 49th in the nation for starting correctional officer salaries—a statistic state officials acknowledge has fueled severe staffing shortages.
To combat high vacancy rates, the Department of Adult Correction (DAC) and the Office of State Human Resources (OSHR) highlighted a new contingent hiring model pilot program operating in three state prisons. The system allows applicants to begin working in secondary support roles while their formal certification steps are processed, preventing talent from being lost to higher-paying private sector jobs during long onboarding windows. The pilot has successfully brought all three test facilities to near-full staffing capacity. Governor Stein is urging the General Assembly to match these structural changes with the proposed 15% raise to make the positions competitive with entry-level retail options.
3. Executive Order 37: Crackdown on Prediction Markets
In response to a explosive 300% surge in prediction market trading nationwide—which reached an estimated $63.5 billion in volume in 2025—Governor Stein signed Executive Order No. 37.
The order acts as a strict extension of the NC State Ethics Act, specifically designed to stop public servants from leveraging inside information for financial gain.
The New Prohibitions for State Employees:
Inside Trading: Banned from using nonpublic, work-acquired information to place bets or assist others in placing bets on prediction markets.
Conflict of Interest: Prohibited from participating in any prediction market transaction directly related to the responsibilities of their employing agency.
Resource Misuse: Strictly forbidden from utilizing state-owned property, devices, or working hours to access or participate in trading platforms.
Violations will result in disciplinary action up to termination and potential referral to the State Ethics Commission or law enforcement.
4. Executive Order 38: A Unified Approach to Military Support
With the fourth-largest military footprint in the United States, North Carolina is home to over 90,000 active-duty personnel, 600,000 veterans, and 150,000 military dependents. Closing out Military Appreciation Month, Stein signed Executive Order No. 38 to create a "whole-of-government" support strategy.
The order mandates that every cabinet agency designate a dedicated Military Affairs Coordinator. Overseen by the Department of Military and Veterans Affairs (DMVA), these coordinators will work to streamline communication between state agencies and local military installations, ensuring smoother transitions for families moving into the state.
This builds upon recent legislative changes that permit out-of-state military spouses to seamlessly transfer professional licenses and allow remote driver's license renewals for deployed personnel. The upcoming budget also proposes the creation of a dedicated Transition Services Division within the DMVA to guide separating servicemembers directly into the civilian workforce.