Political speech, timestamped and in context

Josh Stein: “We have to have a balanced budget by the constitution.”

Featuring: Josh Stein, Democratic | Governor of North Carolina

Gov. Josh Stein Calls For Expanded Access To Affordable Housing In North Carolina

Published October 6, 2026

Now that's off the table. They are protecting millionaires with this amendment so that the only recourse for the state to cover the budget gap because We have to have a balanced budget by the constitution. will be to go to the sales tax. So every person here who we're saying that we care about on affordability, people who really can't afford to pay anymore, they're … (17:22–17:26)

STATEMENT

Asserts that the state constitution requires a balanced budget.

This is an excerpt from a raw transcript. The assertions have not been audited or verified. Tap the video to view the source footage and understand the context.

See the main statements from Josh Stein in this video

“Through 2029, North Carolina is projected to be 750,000 homes short.”
Asserts a projected housing shortage of 750,000 homes in North Carolina by 2029.05:31-05:38
“North Carolina is the number one state that people from other states are moving to.”
Asserts that North Carolina is the top state for domestic migration.05:41-05:46
“In Wake county, the gap is anticipated to be 110,000 units.”
Asserts a projected housing shortage of 110,000 units in Wake County.05:49-05:56
“The income tax, it's never been 3.5%. Right now it's 3.79. It's about to go 3.74. It's about to go to 3.49.”
Asserts the current and future income tax rates in North Carolina.16:43-16:54
“Promise 25 is the first of 25 new units that are come online that are going to be available and affordable to Raleigh residents.”
Asserts that Promise 25 will provide 25 affordable housing units in Raleigh.04:26-04:35
“The city of Raleigh has been cutting red tape and passing ordinances to make it easier to build.”
Asserts that Raleigh has implemented measures to facilitate housing construction.06:14-06:21
“The city also expanded the use of ADUs so that more homes can be built per lot.”
Asserts that Raleigh expanded ADU use to increase housing density.06:39-06:47
“This summer I signed legislation that removed parking minimums and expanded the use of ADUs statewide.”
Asserts signing legislation to remove parking minimums and expand ADUs statewide.07:08-07:16
“In May, I signed an executive order that aims to increase housing opportunities and affordability across North Carolina.”
Asserts signing an executive order to increase housing opportunities and affordability in North Carolina.07:54-08:01
“The executive order centralizes the state's strategic vision within my office and calls on state agencies to prioritize housing supply, affordability, access and resilience in planning and policy.”
Asserts the executive order centralizes housing strategy and prioritizes supply, affordability, access, and resilience.08:01-08:16
“Now 25 more families in Raleigh will be able to afford their future here in the state, in the city that they love.”
Asserts that 25 more families in Raleigh will have affordable housing.09:29-09:39
“The evaluations need to be market based. It does not necessarily mean that they'll be raising rates.”
Asserts that market-based evaluations do not necessarily mean increased rates.13:13-13:20
“The IRS has joined us and will not be enforcing federal sanction against farmers.”
Asserts that the IRS will not enforce federal sanctions against farmers.15:05-15:12
“The legislature is coming back into session tomorrow to deal with the gas tax.”
Asserts that the legislature is reconvening to address the gas tax.15:22-15:28
“I've asked them to join me in Dealing with affordability at a worker family tax cut.”
Asserts that he requested legislative support for a worker family tax cut.15:30-15:35
“They are protecting millionaires with this amendment so that the only recourse for the state to cover the budget gap... will be to go to the sales tax.”
Asserts that a constitutional amendment protects millionaires and shifts the burden to sales tax.17:16-17:28
“It's critical that whatever the legislature does, that they not only provide relief to people at the pump, but that they protect the department of Transportation's highway work.”
Asserts the importance of protecting the Department of Transportation's work while providing gas tax relief.18:09-18:20