OPINION: A Libertarian Perspective Of Governor Stein’s First 100 Days

Governor Josh Stein marked his 100th day in office last week, touting bipartisan efforts and a focus on rebuilding western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene’s devastation. From a libertarian lens, Stein’s early tenure raises both cautious optimism and skepticism about government’s role in solving problems better left to individuals and markets.

Stein’s commitment to western North Carolina’s recovery, as highlighted in his Blue Ridge Public Radio interview, emphasizes community resilience: “The people of Western North Carolina are there for each other.” Libertarians would agree—local communities, not distant bureaucracies, are often best equipped to handle crises. Yet his call for more state and federal involvement, noted in the Asheville Citizen Times, risks bloating government programs that could crowd out private relief efforts. Speaker Destin Hall’s assurance of legislative commitment, reported by WRAL, suggests a bipartisan push, but libertarians question whether “doing everything we can” means efficient aid or blank-check spending.

On economic fronts, Stein’s Carolina Public Press-cited announcement of 1,600 manufacturing jobs and $690 million in private investment is a win for free markets—proof that businesses, not government mandates, drive prosperity. His workforce initiatives, however, could veer into interventionist territory if they involve heavy-handed subsidies or regulations. Similarly, his WNCN pledge to raise teacher and law enforcement wages sounds noble but sidesteps the libertarian critique: why not reduce taxes and let workers keep more of their earnings instead?

Stein’s push for a State Bureau of Investigation cold case unit, per WCTI, targets sexual assault offenders—a goal few would dispute. But libertarians bristle at expanding state power without clear guardrails. Identifying suspects in “warm” cases is one thing; unchecked surveillance or overreach is another. His WWAY lament about low teacher pay as “unacceptable” ignores market realities—salaries reflect supply and demand, not moral failings. Forcing higher wages risks distorting labor markets and burdening taxpayers.

Stein’s bipartisan olive branch, praised by The News & Observer and WRAL, signals a willingness to work with Republicans on housing and education. Libertarians applaud cooperation that reduces government barriers—like zoning laws stifling housing supply—but remain wary of “working together” becoming code for bigger budgets and eroded freedoms.

As Stein navigates his next 100 days, libertarians will watch closely: will he empower individuals and markets, or lean on the state to fix what communities and competition often handle better? His first test, as the press release notes, is coming. So is the verdict on whether his leadership aligns with liberty.