'When's the help coming?' | NC lawmakers to focus on Helene recovery funding in 2025 session

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly returns Wednesday to officially begin the work of the 2025 session. Hurricane Helene is at the top of their priority list, with a new recovery committee set to meet on the first day back.

“I think thet all the people want to know is ‘when’s the help coming?’ in a substantial way,” Rep. Ray Pickett (R-District 93) said. “Help has been there, but now we’ve got to start rebuilding.”

Rep. Pickett, a Republican representing parts of Alleghany, Ashe, and Watauga counties, is a Vice Chair of the House Select Committee on Helene Recovery. He talked to WCNC Charlotte about their priorities and discussions with House Speaker Destin Hall, who formed the committee as one of his first acts in the role.

“[Destin] sustained a lot of damage in his own county —  he knows that the people that represent that area need to be the ones leading the charge because that’s our home,” Rep. Pickett said.

Last year, the NCGA did pass significant relief bills, totaling more than $1 billion. The federal government also approved $100 billion for Helene relief, but Rep. Pickett said they’re still waiting to see exactly how much will be dedicated to North Carolina.

The real price tag is much larger.

“It’s somewhere between $55-60 billion, so it’s a lot,” he said. “The state budget last year was 33 billion for everything. So the state doesn’t have it.” 

“We would like for them to let us have a little bit more hand in rebuilding because we know what we know what we need, but the rebuilding of houses is going to be just a daunting task,” Pickett added. 

He’s hoping for more for rebuilding those homes, roads, and small businesses, but the question now is where that money comes from.

The legislature will also have to focus on passing a budget. Odd-numbered years are typically spent preparing a two-year plan.

Lawmakers do not necessarily need to pass a new budget before a new relief bill, an option the committee plans to discuss Wednesday.

Contact Julie Kay at juliekay@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.

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