NC House proposes $500M Helene relief amid $1B governor request

North Carolina lawmakers have proposed a $500 million relief bill in response to the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene, which is significantly less than the $1.07 billion requested by Governor Josh Stein for immediate recovery needs. The proposal aims to address essential programs, including a home reconstruction initiative and support for farmers, while highlighting the urgency of getting construction underway before the critical spring and summer seasons. Stein has indicated that his request is only the beginning, as he anticipates needing more funds to tackle permanent housing and small business survival. The legislative committee is set to discuss the bill, officially titled 'Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 - Part I', which may lead to further funding discussions in the future. There is still $225 million from previous relief allocations that remain unspent, complicating the funding landscape. This ongoing dialogue between Republican lawmakers and the Democratic governor underscores the differing approaches to recovery efforts in the state.