Cooper’s second term a focus in NC General Assembly address

Gov. Roy Cooper speaks at the Emergency Operations Center in Raleigh. Photo via N.C. Dept. of Public Safety

RALEIGH — North Carolina Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper is giving his biennial address to a joint session of the General Assembly, where he’s expected to promote some second-term goals.

Monday night’s televised State of the State address at the Legislative Building is happening later on the calendar than usual due to safety concerns during the coronavirus pandemic.

While overall attendance will be limited within the House chamber, other top statewide elected officials still have been invited to listen in person. House Speaker Tim Moore will deliver the Republican response to Cooper’s speech.

This marks Cooper’s third State of the State address and first since he was reelected in November. Republicans still control the House and Senate.

GOP leaders and Cooper have spoken about finding consensus on the state budget and other issues following past political rancor between them. Cooper’s persistent push to expand Medicaid coverage to more adults remains a point of division with Republicans.