Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch and House Democratic Leader Robert Reives joined investors and elected officials at the Charlotte Regional Business Alliance for a wide-ranging conversation anchored around three of the CLT Alliance’s top priorities: public safety, education and workforce, and affordable housing.
Public Safety
Leaders emphasized that public safety should not be used as a “political device” or shaped by misinformation campaigns. Instead, they stressed that it should be approached as an opportunity to identify and provide the resources residents need to thrive.
Leader Batch highlighted mental health as a critical factor in improving public safety outcomes. She also pointed to the business case for addressing mental health challenges, noting that Gen Z employees lose an average of five workdays per year due to mental health concerns. That makes mental health not only a public safety issue, but also a workforce productivity challenge that directly impacts employers, she said.
Workforce and Education
Moderator Tracy Montross, government affairs managing director for American Airlines, turned the conversation to North Carolina’s standing as the No. 1 state for business. Both leaders pointed to the workforce as the engine behind that reputation and stressed the importance of continuing to prioritize investments in this sector. This includes sustained support for the state’s universities, community colleges, and K–12 public schools.
Leader Batch emphasized the pivotal role community colleges play in workforce development, while also noting that community college faculty compensation does not always reflect the value of the work they do for students and local communities.
The American Airlines hub at Charlotte Douglas International Airport is an engine for economic growth, adding to the competitiveness of the Charlotte Region and its workforce. The CLT Alliance continues to support the American hub as a key driver for the airport’s role in economic development in the region.
Housing
Housing affordability and pathways to homeownership were also central to the conversation. Rep. Reives spoke about how homeownership helps create more stable, rooted communities by fostering a stronger sense of belonging and encouraging long-term investment in neighborhoods.
He also highlighted the challenges faced by K–12 teachers, health care workers, and public safety employees who are sometimes unable to afford housing in the communities they serve due to rising costs of living.
Leader Batch urged the state to pursue collaborative solutions, including easing regulatory barriers where appropriate and creating targeted incentives to increase the supply of affordable housing.
Batch and Reives also spoke about the state budget, with Leader Batch noting that the General Assembly is unlikely to pass a budget in the 2026 short session, as well as ongoing revenue concerns and the implications of the upcoming primary elections.
Overall, the discussion reflected a shared commitment to supporting policies that strengthen communities and promote long-term stability across North Carolina. The event was well attended with some of the state’s leading employers in attendance, as well as local and statewide elected leaders. Both leaders emphasized the importance of collaboration among policymakers, business leaders, and local stakeholders to ensure the state remains competitive and responsive to the needs of its residents and employers.
