Press Releases

Denise Canada has been hired as the Director of the State and Local Government Finance Division and Secretary of the Local Government Commission, State Treasurer Brad Briner announced today. “Denise’s unique background and deep understanding of issues facing both state and local governments will be invaluable as we serve the more than 1,100 units of local government in North Carolina,” said Treasurer Briner. “Denise is the right person to lead this division and I am excited for her to join the team.”  
The State Health Plan (Plan) Board of Trustees met today to make pivotal decisions on the future direction of the Plan with actions to address its $507 million deficit. The board approved changes to benefits for the 2026 benefit year, which will begin Jan. 1, 2026. Member premiums will not be voted on until the August board meeting.
State Treasurer Brad Briner released the following statement in response to the House’s proposed state spending plan.“State House leaders have taken the needs of state employees to heart in this budget proposal,” Briner said. “The House proposal fully funds the pension plan and increases funding to the State Health Plan to help in our effort to provide affordable, high-quality health care for state workers. Investments made in salary increases and cost-of-living bonuses will help ensure that the state can retain top talent.”
Local governments impacted by Hurricane Helene can apply to the Department of State Treasurer (DST) for cashflow loans as Round 2 of the program prepares to launch. Round 1 resulted in more than $47.5 million being distributed, leaving an estimated $50 million still available.  
Duke University Health System (Durham) is in line to receive more than a half-billion dollars in financing after the Local Government Commission (LGC) approved bond issues in that amount at the LGC’s Tuesday, May 6, meeting.  
Treasurer Brad Briner filed a motion to intervene in the lawsuit between Governor Josh Stein and legislative leaders over appointment power to the N.C. Utilities Commission.
North Carolina Treasurer Brad Briner has nominated former N.C. Department of Environmental Quality Secretary Donald van der Vaart to the North Carolina Utilities Commission.  Van der Vaart is an engineer and attorney by trade, with a background in the energy and utilities sectors. He has served on the EPA’s Scientific Advisory Board and the North Carolina Environmental Management Commission. 
The Local Governmental Employees’ Retirement System (LGERS) Board of Trustees has voted to set new contribution rates that local government agencies must pay into the N.C. Retirement Systems Division for employee pensions, effective July 1.  That was among a number of actions taken at the quarterly meeting of the LGERS and Teachers’ and State Employees’ Retirement System (TSERS) boards of trustees on Thursday, April 24.
The Department of State Treasurer sold $442 million of bonds today to pay for transportation projects in Wake and Johnston counties and to refund certain previous bonds.
The Department of State Treasurer sold $300 million of bonds today to pay for transportation projects throughout North Carolina.The Build NC 2025 Bond Package was approved by the Council of State in March and includes projects from New Hanover to Haywood County. These projects are part of the state’s 2018 “Build NC Bond Act,” which funds N.C. Department of Transportation Division Need Projects and Regional Impact Projects. Under law, the state cannot issue more than $300 million per year for projects funded this way.