North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein

Summary

Podcast Summary: The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert featuring North Carolina Governor Josh Stein

Release Date: June 7, 2025

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Introduction to the Guest

In this episode of The Late Show Pod Show with Stephen Colbert, the host welcomes Governor Josh Stein of North Carolina to discuss pressing issues facing his state. The conversation begins with light-hearted banter about regional differences and personal anecdotes before delving into more substantial topics affecting North Carolina.

Impact of Hurricane Helene and Recovery Efforts

Governor Stein opens the discussion by addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, emphasizing the extensive damage and the resilience of the North Carolina community.

"Eight months after Hurricane Helene was unbelievably devastating... $60 billion in damage." (02:11)

He highlights the communal efforts in recovery and the importance of reopening businesses to rejuvenate the western part of the state, a region known for its natural beauty and tourism.

"We want all of America to know... one of the most beautiful places in this country." (02:09)

Promoting Western North Carolina Tourism

Stephen Colbert and Governor Stein discuss the strategies to attract tourists back to western North Carolina, showcasing the region's attractions and amenities. Colbert personally endorses local businesses, mentioning a pottery shop in Brevard to illustrate the area's charm and support for local commerce.

"Stop by Mud Dabbers in Brevard... tell them I sent you, and you will get zero discount." (03:54)

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Concerns

A significant portion of the interview focuses on the potential elimination or downsizing of FEMA under the Trump administration and its implications for states like North Carolina that heavily rely on federal assistance during disasters.

Governor Stein expresses strong opposition to dismantling FEMA, arguing that state-level emergency responses cannot match the federal agency's expertise and resources.

"To eliminate FEMA would be a man-made disaster. When we need FEMA to respond to natural disasters." (04:36)

Evaluating FEMA's Effectiveness and Needed Reforms

While supporting the necessity of FEMA, Governor Stein acknowledges that the agency has areas needing improvement. He critiques Congressional restrictions that impede FEMA's ability to provide timely and effective assistance to homeowners affected by disasters.

"Congress has tied the hands of FEMA... Let's have one payment from the federal government." (05:35)

Stein advocates for policy changes that would allow FEMA to offer more immediate and flexible financial support to disaster victims, thereby speeding up the recovery process.

Healthcare and Medicaid Funding

The conversation shifts to healthcare, specifically the impacts of proposed federal budget cuts on Medicaid. Governor Stein challenges the assertion that Medicaid will remain unaffected, highlighting the severe consequences of significant funding reductions.

"They're talking about cutting $700 billion out of Medicaid... hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians will lose their health insurance." (07:44)

He underscores the bipartisan efforts that led to Medicaid expansion in North Carolina, which has benefited over 659,000 residents, and warns against the repercussions of dismantling such crucial support systems.

Bipartisan Governance in North Carolina

Governor Stein reflects on his approach to governance in a politically diverse state. Despite partisan differences, he emphasizes his commitment to representing all North Carolinians and addressing core issues that transcend party lines.

"I was elected by the people of North Carolina... They're not red issues or blue issues. They're North Carolina issues." (06:24)

This stance is portrayed as essential for effective leadership, especially in times of crisis and recovery.

Call to Action and Conclusion

As the episode concludes, Governor Stein urges listeners to actively engage in the political process, particularly concerning the fate of Medicaid funding. He appeals to constituents to contact their senators to voice opposition to harmful budget cuts.

"Call your senators... We cannot accept taking away health insurance from people just because they're poor." (08:45)

Stephen Colbert wraps up the conversation by thanking Governor Stein for his insights and encouraging listeners to stay informed and involved.

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Key Takeaways:

1. Disaster Recovery: North Carolina is in the process of rebuilding after Hurricane Helene, with a strong emphasis on community support and revitalizing tourism in western regions.

2. FEMA's Role: The potential reduction or elimination of FEMA poses significant risks to effective disaster response, highlighting the need for federal support in state emergencies.

3. Medicaid Funding: Proposed federal budget cuts threaten the stability of Medicaid in North Carolina, potentially stripping hundreds of thousands of residents of their health insurance.

4. Bipartisan Leadership: Governor Stein advocates for transcending partisan politics to address the real needs of North Carolinians, focusing on issues like public safety, healthcare, and economic development.

5. Citizen Engagement: Active participation from citizens, especially in communicating with legislators, is crucial in shaping policies that affect their lives and communities.

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Notable Quotes:

• Governor Josh Stein: "To eliminate FEMA would be a man-made disaster." (04:36)

• Stephen Colbert: "Stop by Mud Dabbers in Brevard... tell them I sent you." (03:54)

• Governor Josh Stein: "They're talking about cutting $700 billion out of Medicaid... hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians will lose their health insurance." (07:44)

• Governor Josh Stein: "They're not red issues or blue issues. They're North Carolina issues." (06:24)

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This episode provides a comprehensive look into the challenges and initiatives within North Carolina under Governor Stein's leadership, offering listeners valuable insights into disaster management, healthcare policy, and bipartisan governance.

Transcript

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Today it's the Late Show Poncho with Stephen Colbert.

[Stephen Colbert]

Hey everybody. Welcome back folks. My next guest is the governor of the great state of North Carolina. Please welcome to the Late Show Governor Josh Stein. Good to see you.

[Josh Stein]

Thank you.

[Stephen Colbert]

I'm from South Carolina. You're from North Carolina. You're so close to the right Carolina. First of all, thanks for coming up to New York to chat with me. Happy to do it. Your wife, Anna.

[Josh Stein]

Anna, yes, Anna.

[Stephen Colbert]

She's off kicking off summer, right?

[Josh Stein]

I love it.

[Stephen Colbert]

What's going on here? Where is she right now?

[Josh Stein]

She is near Boone, North Carolina. She's on a river. Today it's about opening up business in western North Carolina to tourists. We want all of America to know eight months after Helene Hurricane Helene was unbelievably devastating. I mean just it's really hard until you've been there to imagine the scale devastation. $60 billion in damage. Folks have stepped up to help each other. We have to step up just like, they've stepped up for each other. One of the things that happens in western North Carolina, and actually, before I do that, I want to thank you because after the storm, you talked about it, you encouraged people to donate. Your viewers from across the country gave millions of dollars. And it's not the first time, not the first time you've done that. You may remember a. Whose boat is this boat?

[Stephen Colbert]

I do remember that. I do remember that. Well, I love North Carolina. I mean, you've got your barbecue, but other than that, I just. We'll get into that later. But I especially love western North Carolina. You know, Charleston's got a big connection with western North Carolina. I love that area. Flat Rock, Hendersonville, Tryon, Asheville, all of that. Just a gorgeous part of it. The Green river, the French Broad. I love fishing up there. Everybody should go, go to western North Carolina in the summer. You, you're going to absolutely love it. And you'll help the state at the same time.

[Josh Stein]

That's what we're asking. Anna was up there to remind people it is open for business. It is among the most beautiful places in this country. What we want is if you've been there, you know it. So come and have fun. If you've never been, you will have the best time and talk about a great way to help people to have great time. Restaurants, the breweries, everything you could possibly want. Come to us.

[Stephen Colbert]

Stop by Mud Dabbers in Brevard. Brevard, North Carolina, That's a pottery shop that I stopped by when I'm up there. This is not a paid endorsement. I just want you to know I'm not sponsored for the show. Go there, tell them I sent you, and you will get zero discount. That's Mud Dabbers.

[Josh Stein]

That is off of Island Ford Road in Brevard.

[Stephen Colbert]

That's exactly right. That's exactly right. Now, the Trump administration has considered eliminating the Federal Emergency Management Agency. Now, as a governor, in a state that relies on fema, especially in this case, what. What happens to states in times of crisis like this if FEMA is eliminated or even downsized?

[Josh Stein]

So after a storm, there's complete chaos. There was no transportation, no communications, no water, no electricity. Houses destroyed, businesses washed away, trees on top of people's properties. If a state has to create a fresh, an entire emergency response, it is not going to work. What we know is that there will be a natural disaster in the United States somewhere this year, but it may not hit South Carolina for five years or seven years. That's why we have the federal expertise and we need the federal resources because the scale of these storms are so massive. To eliminate FEMA would be a man made disaster. When we need FEMA to respond to natural disasters.

[Stephen Colbert]

You wrote an editorial in USA Today. You said, you said as much as we need fema, you said FEMA is broken. As we brace for our new hurricane season, what do we need to fix it, in your opinion?

[Josh Stein]

Yeah. Well, there are things that FEMA can do differently and better. Anything can be improved. And the fact of the matter is, is that Congress has tied the hands of fema. For instance, when FEMA gives money to a homeowner whose house is destroyed, it can only go to the condition it was before then. The homeowner has to wait for potentially over a year for HUD to give them money to raise the ras rais, raise the house outside the flood zone. And that may take a year, two years down the road. Let's have one payment from the federal government. It's cost effective to the taxpayer and it gets homeowners back in their home more quickly.

[Stephen Colbert]

You're a Democrat, a governor working with the GOP legislature in a state that went for Donald Trump in 2024. How do you, how do you work together? How do you work that out?

[Josh Stein]

I was elected by the people of North Carolina and I represent the people of North Carolina. It's not representing Democrats or Republicans. It's just representing people. And there are real, on a lot of issues, there's real partisan differences. I fully, I know it, I experience it regularly. But most of the core issues that matter, whether it's helping western North Carolina recover or making sure that our neighborhoods are safe for our kids to go outside and play, or that the healthcare system works, or we have a good public school system or good jobs where people can get good pay and a career path. These are not red issues or blue issues. They're North Carolina issues.

[Stephen Colbert]

A lot of governors around the United States, lot of governors around the United States are worried about what this is, quote, unquote, big, beautiful bill is going to do to state budgets, especially Medicaid. How is that going to affect the ability to provide services to the people in your state that need it? Mike Johnson, the Speaker and the Director of the Office of Management Budget, Russ Vaught, have said no one is going to lose their Medicaid. Is that something you would describe with the word true?

[Josh Stein]

Untrue.

[Stephen Colbert]

Untrue.

[Josh Stein]

I would use true, but I would add un in front of it.

[Stephen Colbert]

Okay, debatable. Or will people undoubtedly lose their look?

[Josh Stein]

They're talking about cutting $700 billion out of Medicaid. You cannot take that kind of money out of the system without people losing coverage. North Carolina had not expanded Medicaid for a long time, and folks worked really hard. I want to tip my hat to former Governor Roy Cooper. He helped lead this effort. Democrats and Republicans together in North Carolina, on a bipartisan basis, expanded Medicaid two years ago. There are 659,000 North Carolinians, our neighbors, who have health insurance today, who did not just two years ago. There is no question that if this bill, it's a bad bill, it's an ugly bill, if it goes forward as it's written, hundreds of thousands of North Carolinians will lose their health insurance.

[Stephen Colbert]

What can you as a governor, what can the people of North Carolina or any state do in the face of this? Has already passed the House.

[Josh Stein]

The House.

[Stephen Colbert]

Where does it stand? Do you call your senators?

[Josh Stein]

Call your senators and I've done that. And I urge all of you, call your United States senators. Because it takes two houses to pass a law in the US Congress. I have confidence that the House, I mean the Senate will be better. I don't know how much better. But we cannot accept taking away health insurance from people just because they're poor. It makes no sense.

[Stephen Colbert]

Governor, thanks so much for being here. Good to see you. Thank you for listening to the Late Show Pod show with Stephen Colbert. Just one more thing. If you want to see more of me, come to The Late Show YouTube channel for more clips and exclusives.

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