Strength in Unity, Power in Participation

As I settle into this year as your League President, I’ve taken on a personal project that reflects both my commitment to our organization and my belief in the power of connection: I’m writing a letter to each of the 540 mayors who make up our League, or in some cases, making every effort to stop by town halls across the state throughout my travels. Why? Because I want to share what the League means to me, highlight the incredible resources available to you, and encourage even deeper engagement from all our members.

If your municipality isn’t yet taking full advantage of the League’s services, now is the perfect time to explore what’s available. On the Members’ Only section of our website, you’ll find a “Member 360” report that shows exactly which programs your municipality is using. I guarantee there are more tools and services that could benefit your community. Reach out to your League contacts—they’re here to help you make the most of your membership.

This year also brings challenges that remind us why our unity matters. Our colleagues in western North Carolina  continue to face immense difficulties in  the wake of Hurricane Helene. Like all of us, they worked to meet budget deadlines, but they were doing so while managing the aftermath of a devastating natural disaster. They need our support—and they need action from our state and federal partners.

In May, I joined fellow state league presidents in Washington, D.C. for the  NLC’s State League Fly-In, where we met with congressional staff working on the bipartisan FEMA Act of 2025. Reform is needed, but as always, the devil is in the details. I spoke up about the unique challenges our cities face—especially the requirement to pass a balanced budget by  the end of June, even when cash flow is disrupted by disaster recovery.

We were disappointed to learn on our way home from Washington, D.C., that FEMA  denied our state’s request for an extension of 100% cost reimbursement for debris removal. This decision adds to the burden our communities are already carrying. As  leaders in Washington continue to discuss  the future of FEMA and any reforms, it  will be important that they hear what is needed most for North Carolina cities now and in the future.

In better news, before the General Assembly left town recently, they passed HB 1012 2025-26 Disaster Recovery Act of 2025 – Part II. This new law is the General Assembly’s second tranche of monies designated to support those impacted by Hurricane Helene and was the result of  months-long negotiations between the House and Senate. The bill appropriates an additional $500 million to support various projects across the affected areas and received unanimous support in both  chambers.

I urge you to get involved: share your relationships with policymakers with our Government Affairs team, actively read the weekly Legislative Bulletin email that comes to your inbox each Friday during the legislative session and attend events focused on policy and legislative planning. Your voice matters.

Since 1908, our League has stood on the principle that in unity, there is strength. For 117 years, we’ve embodied our motto of “Working as One. Advancing All.” Let’s continue that legacy—by staying informed,  staying connected, and staying engaged.