>> Good afternoon, everybody today, I'm pleased to share our recommendations.

How North Carolina should most effectively use funds provided by the federal American rescue plan.

This pandemic brought us a once in a generation challenge.

And these funds have brought us.

A once in a generation opportunity.

Let's use them to make transformational change for our state.

Simply put.

We can revolutionize North Carolina.

We can train workers educate students, connect communities.

And improve help.

We're building a bridge from response to recovery.

The federal American rescue plan is injecting billions of dollars in federal funds to North Carolina, including 5.7 billion for investment by state government.

It's time to seize this opportunity as we emerge from this crisis and build back stronger.

These investments must be smart equitable and effective.

We're prioritizing assisting families most impacted by the pandemic.

Upgrading our infrastructure.

Preparing our workforce.

In promoting business development and innovation.

The director of the Office of state budget and management Charlie peruse we'll share more details in a minute.

But first I want to talk to you about the importance of these investments.

And what they can do for our state.

This pandemic appended everyone's lives.

But we must leverage these funds to support those who have been hit the hardest.

And this budget recommends funding for the most basic needs such as affordable housing and food security.

It includes another round of extra credit grants.

A program started by Republican leaders in the Legislature.

This will help a lot of parents with direct grants of up to $500.

It recommends funds to strengthen our education system.

Every child in North Carolina deserves a sound basic education.

More than that they have a constitutional right to it.

As the court affirmed in the Leandro case.

We must do more to make this a reality for children regardless of race background or zip code.

This includes expanding pre K and investing in home-based early childhood literacy interventions.

An important part of having better educated kids is recruiting and retaining qualified and quality teachers.

This budget recommends funding to hire literacy coaches and strengthen teacher training that will also help many of them teach reading in more effective ways as recommended in new legislation passed by the General Assembly.

We also proposed scholarship support teachers to keep them in our schools.

Our most ambitious recommendation is to connect everyone in this state together and with the world.

With high speed Internet.

As the pandemic has highlighted having access to high-speed Internet is more important than ever to learn to get a job to see a doctor to start a business and to stay connected.

More than a million households in North Carolina lack affordable and reliable access to the Internet.

Our recommended budget invest one 0.2 billion dollars to help close the digital divide by building infrastructure infrastructure making of connection affordable ensuring people can afford a device and know how to use it.

It's a truly comprehensive well planned approach that'll gress of Lee close the gaps.

These investments will ensure that every home with the school age child.

We'll have access to high-speed Internet.

Our goal is that by 2025, North Carolina will be a national leader.

Ranking in the top 5 states for high-speed Internet adoption.

This must be a priority as we cannot lose this chance to close the digital divide.

There are other immediate needs remastered rest.

More than a 100 communities in our state have aging water systems that they can't afford to fix.

Many of them are getting some money directly from the federal government through the American rescue plan.

We have a plan to match state and local American rescue plan funds to rebuild the systems in a smart regional way.

So families can have clean water and these small communities can attract more economic growth.

And that economic growth depends on a well trained workforce.

Now in 2019 I stood with our bipartisan legislative leaders University Community College and business leaders to promise that by 2030.

We would have 2 million more adults with a college degree or a trade credential.

It's now 2021.

And with the American rescue plan.

We can invest in our future to make sure that this happens.

Our University Community College an independent colleges have been working with each other.

The Legislature and my office on a plan to use federal funds to give a gallant guaranteed scholarship to more than 200,000 North Carolinians each year.

We're seeing real success in recruiting good paying jobs in our state.

Dozens of companies moving to are expanding in North Carolina in just the last few months with a lot more to come.

But they need skilled workers to fill the positions.

We should match those great jobs with our own homegrown workers.

And with these guaranteed scholarships.

We can do it and we can reach our goal of having 2 million better train workers.

We also need to help businesses that have been hurt by this pandemic help them recover and thrive.

Our hospitality industry was among the hardest hit.

Many restaurants and hotels and others worked hard to protect their employees and their customers by implementing strong safety protocols.

We responded last year with the mortgage utility and rent relief program or more to help these businesses.

But we need to do even more.

This budget proposes significant direct assistance to help our businesses recover from lost revenue in order to be able to grow.

We also implemented the retooled program last year to provide direct support to historically underutilized business.

We know that minority and women-owned businesses often suffer disproportionately and have a more difficult time accessing capital.

This proposal includes support for these businesses recognizing their vital contributions to our communities.

And we know that to grow.

We must innovate.

This budget looks to the future by including funding for health research within the University of North Carolina system.

UNC Chapel Hill is a worldwide leader in developing anti viral drugs the fight against diseases like COVID-19.

This proposal would take them to a new level by funding the rapidly emerging anti viral drug development initiative or redi for short.

Which will attract more private and federal funding create good paying jobs.

And helped discover lifesaving drugs.

It would also provide vital funding to Winston Salem state University's Center for excellence for elimination of health disparities.

So that we can continue to combat the unequal impact of health outcomes on our communities of color.

We also know that local governments have been on the frontline of this pandemic and I'm grateful for our local leaders across the state who work to keep their community safe for their economies moving.

Cities towns and counties are receiving over 3 billion dollars directly from the American rescue plan which can do a lot.

Our recommendation includes funding to help these local governments build the necessary capacity to invest these dollars effectively and efficiently.

With this proposal.

We also acknowledge that while every state County town and federally recognized American Indian tribe, receive direct funding from the American rescue plan.

Our state recognized tribes did not.

Despite the vital services they provide a tribal members.

Our recommendation includes 18 million dollars in direct assistance for 7 American Indian tribes recognized by North Carolina that too often have been overlooked.

I want to thank everyone across the state who has given us input on this proposal, including legislators from both parties.

A lot of people and businesses need help now and this proposal provides that.

But permanent progress requires transformational change and this proposal provides that too.

We can make our communities more livable if we improve access to affordable housing.

If we invest our in our businesses with direct assistance.

If we strengthen our educator pipeline and expand our workforce, education and training.

If we upgrade our aging infrastructure and help household and businesses get connected with high-speed Internet access.

And unprecedented pandemic requires unprecedented investment.

If we meet this moment.

We'll build a stronger and more equitable future that can help all North Carolinians thrive.

We'll now hear from Charlie peruse the director of the Office of budget and management.

After his presentation.

I will be available to take questions along with other members of my staff also have with me today are secretary of Health and Human Services doctor Mandy Cohen.

And emergency management chief of staff will re.

Lee Williamson and Brian Tipton our sign language interpreters and behind the scenes, Jackie to be here and Erica coogler our Spanish language interpreters.

Charlie I will recognize you to make it more detail presentation on this proposal.

Thank you governor Cooper and good afternoon, everyone, I'm Charlie per Curry state budget director and I'm pretty pleased to present the governor's American rescue plan budget recommendations.

I thought it would be helpful to provide some additional context around the a r P. It was signed into law by President Biden on March 1120 21.

>> Followed by federal Treasury guidance assistance on the allowable uses of these monies.

On May 10th.

Funds must be obligated by December 3120 24.

An expended by December 3120 26.

The American rescue plan funds to North Carolina totaling an estimated 5.7 billion dollars will come into programs.

The first in the largest piece is the state fiscal relief funding totaling 5.4 billion dollars.

And a little under 300 million dollars for critical capital projects.

The 5.4 billion in state fiscal relief funds will come into equal tranches we received 2.7 billion dollars of the first tranche trunks yesterday and expect to receive the additional 2.7 billion dollars 12 months from now in the state will apply for the critical capital projects funds later this summer.

In addition as the governor mentioned a local governments across the state are getting through 3.2 billion dollars and that will go to all 100 counties and 550 municipalities statewide.

As the governor mention North Carolina's recovery is in sight.

But the needs throughout North Carolina remain great.

The employment rate for low-wage workers is down 13% over the last year and the labor participation rate is down 2%.

Labor participation rate is especially down along among minority and women.

Secondly entertainment spending is down 30% statewide.

Housing assistance requests are up 36%.

59% of North Carolinians lack access to affordable high-speed Internet and only 50% of eligible children.

A tendency pre K program.

As the governor shared his vision for a shared recovery for stronger North Carolina.

His recommendations 5 in a fall in the 5 main areas, including assistant families and individuals, hardest hit upgrading our infrastructure preparing the workforce of the future promoting business development and innovation and positioning government to best serve North Carolinians.

The first recommendation for assisting families and individuals hardest hit.

Is 575 million dollars to expand affordable housing.

This includes 500 million dollars to develop in rehab approximately 3,000 rental and 3500 new housing units statewide.

In addition it includes 75 million dollars in down payment assistance.

For low income first time home buyers.

The 75 million dollars includes $8,000 of standard assistance for first time homebuyers and up to $15,000 of enhanced assistance for public school teachers.

We anticipate this homebuyer assistance program with us as 5,000 to 9,000 home buyers statewide.

As the governor mentioned he's recommending a 250 million dollars extra credit Grant 2 point oh.

Proposal based mainly on the proposal that was implemented by the Legislature last year with a couple of modifications.

Grants would be eligible to families with children based on their 2019 adjusted gross income.

Grants would be tailored toward a low and middle income families.

The maximum grant of $500 would be provided to families with incomes of 15 to $30,000 in $250 grants would people be provided to families of becomes of 30 to $60,000.

And we anticipate that this assistance would reach an estimated 660,000 families statewide.

Next the governor recommends a comprehensive health and wellness promotion program.

That really targets the major risk factors.

That folks may have in and make them more susceptible to COVID-19 specifically it recommends 15 million dollars each to the major a risk factors, including diabetes heart disease and stroke obesity cancer tobacco use health as well as providing 15 million dollars for healthy communities.

In 15 million dollars for injury in violence prevention.

Activity statewide.

We've talked a lot about food security and the governor recommends an additional 64 million dollars to an enhanced food security efforts statewide.

This includes 28 million dollars to bolster small farms and emergency food operations like food banks.

It also includes 32 million dollars to strengthen local food systems and to expand nutrition education, a lot of these funds will go through nonprofits in church organizations and 4 million dollars to reduce college hunger.

We anticipate the 64 million dollar recommendation would benefit 90 community organizations.

Hundreds of farmers.

And roadside stand statewide and students at universities and community colleges statewide.

Next the governor recommend 65 million dollars to help vulnerable individuals and families including 28 million dollars to support families at risk of homelessness with a major focus on seniors disabled persons in kids transitioning from foster care.

It also includes an additional 20 million dollars for domestic violence and sexual assault victims.

10 million dollars to support family givers.

And 7 million dollars for vulnerable youth.

In addition, the governor recommends 300 million dollars to ensure a sound basic education in for early childhood development.

And the sound basic education area include 75 million dollars to hire reading literacy coaches and all 300 low performing elementary schools.

And 65 million dollars to develop a skilled educator pipeline.

In the early childhood development space.

Recommends a 102 million dollars to improve access to pre K in 58 million dollars for home base early literacy programs.

The next set of recommendations around upgrading infrastructure.

The governor recommended.

Mentioned his one 0.2 billion dollar proposal to close the digital divide.

Statewide with the goal of making North Carolina, a top 5 stay and high-speed Internet adoption rates above 8580% statewide achieve a 100% adoption for homes with children in to fully close equity equity gaps by 2025.

This 1.2 billion dollars is broken up into 600 million dollars for infrastructure needs a little over 400 million dollars to ensure affordability a 165 million dollars for digital digital literacy in a moment in 15 million dollars for operational support.

In addition.

Governor recommends 800 million dollars for water sewer.

And storm water.

Program.

A little bit of context here the state of North Carolina has 550 water sewer units statewide of which about 200 of them.

Our small units with less than 2000 customers and over 200 of them are on the distressed are at risk unit list.

This proposal aims to really help those distress in at-risk units by providing 440 million dollars.

For those projects, a distressed or regional as ation project would be a 100% state funded nne at risk unit would be 25%, stake to local match.

And we anticipate that this 440 million would assist 65 to a 130 units statewide.

In addition, there's 360 million dollars for other critical projects which would focus on our larger municipalities.

They would be on a 50% state 50% local match.

And we anticipate that 360 million reaching about 30 projects statewide.

In addition the governor recommends a 160 million dollars for lead and asbestos abatement radiate mediation remediation in schools and childcare facilities, including 35 million dollars for lead testing and remediation of drinking water.

In a 125 million for lead and asbestos abatement activities.

In addition the governor's proposal recommends a 175 million for rural downtown transformation grants.

This includes 60 million dollars for neighborhood revitalization projects.

A 100 million dollars for local transformation projects and 15 million dollars to acquire land demolished all buildings.

We anticipate this 175 million dollars would support a 100 plus downtown district projects statewide.

The next set of recommendations around preparing the workforce as the governor mentioned we're all very excited about his proposal.

Called the North Carolina guarantee scholarship.

This 350 million dollar recommendation would be eligible to all full and part-time students at UNC and community colleges it would provide at least $6,000 a year for family incomes of less than $60 with the phaseout down to $7500 and we expect that this it $6,000 assistance.

What assistant least 72,000 students statewide.

On top of that the governor recommends recovery scholarships for UNC in Community college students totaling 270 million dollars.

These monies would provide financial stability for our poor students.

It would also be eligible to all full and part-time students at UNC in community colleges.

And it would provide up to an additional $1000 per year for students with family incomes, less than $35,000.

This proposal also recommends 95 million dollars in recovery scholarship funds for our students our independent colleges and universities.

This what this one is also a pro would provide financial stability for our poor students in would be eligible to all full and part-time students are at our independent colleges.

And it would provide up to an additional $1750 per year for students receiving existing need-based scholarship funds.

In addition, the governor recommend 60 million dollars for summer accelerator grants.

These monies would assist students in need of remedial support so they can stay on track to graduate.

And finally in this area, the governor recommend 60 million dollars for finish line grants.

This would provide up to a $1000 per semester for students with severe financial emergencies.

This a $1000 per semester assistance with provide monies for housing medical transportation and other needs.

And we anticipate these monies would help at least 20,000 students per year.

Continuing with the preparing the workforce recommendations.

The governor proposes a 150 million dollars to purchase 21st century technology and equipment for all of our higher education sectors focusing on equipment 19 needs in high-demand fields, including stem health and the construction areas.

This would provide 75 million to community colleges, 45 million to the UNC system in 30 million to independent colleges.

The governor also recommends 24 5 million dollars to reconnect the workforce.

And these monies would be targeted support to an underrepresented populations.

Women and youth.

Transitioning now to several recommendations in the business development and innovation area.

The governor mentioned in his remarks.

How the impact has been on the hospitality industry.

This bold recommendation provides 350 million dollars to help these businesses statewide including 300 million dollars for about 10% of revenue loss for 12,000 bars, restaurants and hotels statewide.

In addition it provides 50 million dollars for fall small business recovery, supporting 1002 1000 businesses statewide.

In addition includes the governor's recommendation includes 50 million dollars for economic sites development.

These monies would be used for critical infrastructure to attract new businesses to North Carolina.

50 million dollars would be focused on mega sites.

Distressed communities in green energy sector jobs.

In addition.

The governor recommends 50 million dollars for to strategic industry development and this 50 million dollars would provide direct grants to local governments for infrastructure and workforce programs.

As the governor mentioned small and historically underutilized business is have been impacted greatly by the pandemic this 50 million dollars would build on recommendations that were done last year, including an additional 40 million dollars for grants up to $50,000 to support.

Small in how businesses with working capital.

We anticipate this 40 million dollars would reach 750 businesses statewide in addition, this recommendation includes 6 million dollars for business recovery counseling.

In 4 million dollars for second strips stage growth assistance.

Continuing in the business development innovation area.

Is a 45 million dollar recommendation to expand motor sports and outdoor events.

Opportunities.

We know that Motorsports is a 5 billion not dollar industry in North Carolina and were the proud home of NASCAR in this recommendation built on this by providing 30 million dollars or 10 million dollars each for repairs in infrastructure improvements at the 3 large NASCAR tracks in North Carolina.

The rock.

The North Wilkesboro Speedway in Charlotte Motor Speedway in addition, it provides 10 million dollars in grant monies for smaller racing venue statewide as well as 5 million dollars to develop connect and market a new motor sports and moonshine here it's trail.

The governor mentioned that the UNC system health research innovation.

It's 75 million dollar recommendation recognizes that UNC Chapel Hill is the highest-ranked COVID-19 research University in the nation.

And this recommendation provides 50 million dollars.

For the ready program to accelerate future drug development in addition.

This recommendation also provides 25 million dollars to expand health research capabilities.

At our 6 UNC historically minority serving institutions.

Continuing in the business development innovation we know that the arts and entertainment industry has been hurt hard.

The governor recommend 60 million dollars to restart the arts history science libraries and film.

We anticipate in this area may to may take them 2 to 3 years to recover from the pandemic it provides 45 million dollars in grants for museums, libraries and cultural center statewide.

We anticipate that about 1000 organizations would be eligible to receive these monies.

In addition includes 2 and a half million dollars each to the symphony in the Museum of Art and 10 million dollars for the film industry to build sound stages and sets.

In the final area positioning government to best serve North Carolina as the governor mentioned his proposal recommends 65 million dollars and local government assistance.

This includes 41 million dollars to provide direct assistance to smaller local government units to the League of municipalities the county commissioners Association, the Council of governments.

And 24 24 million dollars to hold the towns of huntersville and Apex harmless.

So those towns receive funding amounts that align with their original congressional estimates.

In addition the governor wrecked.

Mentioned 18 million dollar wrecked recommendation for state recognized American Indian Indian tribes.

This includes 16 million dollars in direct assistance to the 7 tribes recognized by North Carolina, but not the federal government.

2 million dollars for small business grants and other assistance.

And we anticipate this 18 million dollars with assist approximately 67,000 American Indians in over 1000 American Indian businesses.

Finally in the position in government to best serve North Carolina area, the governor's or P proposal recommends 100 million dollars to the state health plan to cover COVID-19 costs.

76 9 million dollars to support the continuity of state government operations in 50 million dollars for ventilation in other renovation needs at the Department of Public safety in dhhs facilities statewide.

The governor doctor Cohen and I are available to answer questions.

Thank you.

Charlie think to you and the staff and everybody who had input into this.

It's >> a lot of work a lot of fall.

And this is actually only part of the funds that North Carolina will have to invest in our future.

But we'll now open it up for questions if you can identify yourself and your organization would appreciate it as a said doctor Cohen and Charlie and will re are all here to answer questions that you might have we'll take the first war.

>> A reminder to our reporters on the line pretty please press one to ask a question governor Cooper will be available for a few questions and budget director trolley crews will stay available after.

Our first question will be from Gary Robertson with the Associated Press.

>> Carried a P a lot of these projects are that you're hoping to spend the money on our one-time projects.

There's some other things like the scholarships that would be for multi years with team like that covid money is going to run out in early later on.

It may happen after he leaves office but do you envision these.

Recoveries scholarships and the guarantee program be something permanent or is that something that's needs to be settled on at a later date.

>> Great question Gary, and yes, most of the recommendations that we have or for one-time investments like infrastructure, water and sewer.

But we have 5 years in which to invest this money over a 5 year period of time.

We're trying to emerge from the pandemic.

So we need a shot in the arm, particularly in the area education and workforce training.

You know if we get 5 years down the road and we see that we don't need to continue with this investment any more than we want.

But when you look at the demand that we have for skilled workers in all of these jobs that we're creating and the challenges that our children have had doing remote learning and trying to catch up.

We do need to invest in things that we could potentially continue to invest in in the future.

But recognize that you know it could be for a finite period of time to help get us out of this pandemic.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from dawn Vaughn with the news and observer.

>> Governor Cooper gone on in the Anna >> it's my understanding that the rescue plan funds do allow for hazard pay for essential workers.

I don't see that in the proposal is bonuses are another way.

>> To provide any of that part of the overall the budget negotiations concern.

>> You know we're in a good situation here where we're able to piece together a number of different kinds of funds to do that kind of thing and I'm gonna let Charlie purish answer that question.

>> Thank you yet this proposal does include money in the continuity of operations bucket about 80 million which may cover some outstanding needs for Hauser duty pay across the state.

Thanks next question please.

>> We have a follow-up Dunbar news and observer.

>> I think for the follow about the extra credit Grant to point know obviously there's some range in funding amounts between that and which is now a House Republican proposal for or a $1000 all family briefing on middle ground here on on finding a bill that would would fund money for that.

>> Well this is a good idea put forth by the Legislature it's helped a lot of families.

We included this in our proposal because its input that we got from a number of legislators that they would like to continue it.

Yeah the program structured a little bit differently.

We have means tested it in other words, providing this benefit to people who make less than a certain amount up early to 60,000.

But certainly willing to work with the Legislature and I think they have a mine where they want to invest more in extra credit.

Grants and I feel like this is something that we can agree on as we go forward in this process.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from Michael Hyland with CBS 17.

>> I had a couple questions initially related to the extra credit grants as well one that you all that I put it to complement on the proposal that you have here and have you come up with any federal way for sure that the lowest income people actually get these payments it's possible on that, but an issue with people who don't make enough money to have to file state taxes.

>> Second part of the question what was your first part of the question Michael sorry.

>> Sure no problem I was I think what you all decided to put the income with it.

In place as I understand it.

The first round of the extra credit grants to everyone regardless of what you pay right.

>> Well we decided we would propose an income limit because we need to try to get the money to the families that need it most and plus it can make that payment that those families larger.

You know a lot of people are are doing well as we are emerging from the pandemic a lot of people are invested in the stock market and our have good paying jobs.

But there are a lot of people are on the edge to and I'd rather increased that amount of extra credit grant money to those parents who have children who are.

At at a lower income bracket and yeah it is a challenge to be able to find all of the people that get this money the Department of Revenue, however, with the last round of extra credit grants has been able to assemble a database where I believe that they could work even harder to try to make sure that they get that money.

Charlie do you know any other efforts that they are making to make sure that they get that money.

Okay, yeah, they are they are working on ways to to do that the General Assembly gave the Department of Revenue the.

The job of making sure this money is distributed in of course.

Only people who filed taxes did they have access to but now we've grown that database from the first round and hope to make sure that we get to more of these families who are desperately in need.

Next question please.

>> And we have a follow-up Michael Hyland CBS 17.

>> Thank you also wanted to follow up on Dawn's official questions she asked there are some state employees of General Assembly today that will.

Pushing for you all to include you some of the funding for us obviously to get their hazard pay but they also want to address some of the staffing issues tickets to HHS facilities over the last year that have been exacerbated by the pandemic this also go to work in any way try to increase topping it still some of those vacant jobs at some particular DHS facilities have been working on with people working on the front lines of sometimes treating COVID-19 patients.

>> What Charlie address the specifics of that.

Thank you for the question there's a piece of this that we didn't go over, but that's included in our budget documents there there's another 10 billion dollars of federal assistance that's coming to North Carolina.

>> I believe about 3 and a half to 4 billion dollars is coming to dhhs working closely with doctor Cohen and her staff there are recommendations in that area to to bolster capacity in local public health areas across the state.

And a lot of the monies that are going directly to dhhs would be used to support that doctor Cohen may want to add some to that as well.

>> Hi thanks for that will first I want to thank all of our DHS employees, many of whom do you direct care work and have been doing that throughout the pandemic we did offer hazard pay it was a particularly important to do that early on in this pandemic we had limited ppe childcare was an issue we know they were and handling COVID-19 patients so we're very grateful and so we did.

Offered hazard pay I think now we're in a different moment, vaccines are widely available.

We've made them available on campus.

At our health care facilities for all of our dhhs workers we obviously have ppe.

For folks now so I think we're at a very different moment we do want to make sure that there is access to mental health services you see him really big investment in what the governor and Charlie just went through today about how we need to make sure that we're investing in the mental health system overall and so I think there's a a very strong plan and then we look forward to working with the General Assembly on that thank you.

Next question please.

>> Our next question is from the key House there was W I PM.

I think he has there was that we can.

>> I understand the importance of the proposal so thank you for that day.

But I did want to quickly ask you something people here in eastern Carolina are wondering about and that Andrew Brown the da's decision not to charge.

Officers in that case I wanted to ask what do you think about that decision and what do you think should happen next with in regard to the investigation and body camera footage involved.

>> I think the public would have been better served with a special prosecutor.

More transparency and quickly really seeing the insulted footage to the public.

So the public could see it.

I think the federal investigation should continue.

In this matter which I understand is is going on right now.

Next question please.

>> Our final question for today's briefing is from Laura Leslie with WRAL.

It's on the basket think you've probably seen the reports over the next couple of days that have shown that if Fauci and some folks at the CDC starting to walk back some of the guidance on masks or at least for some people in we're wondering whether the state is going to follow suit or whether you know whether people should be worried about going back to mask or or not.

>> Well first I didn't hear the first part of your question Laura, but I think I think I've got it first the research is pretty clear in the CDC has said defensively that.

If you're vaccinated.

Then it's very little chance you're going to get COVID-19 is also very little chance that you're going to transmit it to somebody else.

So we are providing strong recommendations to people who are unvaccinated to make sure that they wear their mask and we still have a mandatory mask requirement in places where a lot of people may be together and unvaccinated like child care centers.

Like schools.

Like public transportation health care facilities and the like.

We also are going to continue to put our priority work on getting people vaccinated because if anything comes out of all of this talk about masks and social distancing in capacity limits is that vaccinations are the way out for people and are the way for us to be able to recover.

So you know we just issued some recommendations today doctor Cohen would you want to come and talk about that one that you go ahead and do that.

>> Hi Laura I think the governor covered it generally what we're saying is if you are vaccinated you do not need to be wearing a mask, if you are unvaccinated though you need to continue social distancing and wearing a mask.

What is important that we're putting an additional guidance particularly for employers and because we know that employers it sometimes to challenging to know who's vaccinated who's not and in those cases some employers may choose to ask all of their employees to wear a mask until more people throughout North Carolina are vaccinated so that is an option that is available to employers but what we're seeing is saying overall is generally if you are vaccinated you did not need to be wearing a mask other in then the settings the governor mentioned where we still have a mandate where we still see higher risk settings again those where we see large populations of unvaccinated folks of those are our schools are camps and child care settings our health care settings are our transportation and other congregate settings so mandate still for the mask in those those settings and then really strong recommendations when you go into large crowded indoor facility is in particular.

Thank you.

>> Thank you all for joining us today, we look forward to getting input from the public and working with the Legislature to make the right transformational investments for our state.

With this president amount of funding that we have thanks so much.