Event Recap
The NewDEAL Forum was thrilled to host policymakers and partners from the public and private sectors for two days of conversations focused on the cost of living, effective governance, and how to deliver results.
If you weren't able to join us, check out our event recap below and be sure to watch the video recordings from each of the plenary sessions.
session recaps
Welcoming remarks
Mayor Janet Cowell welcomed everyone to Raleigh, highlighting the city’s progress on housing affordability and as one of the best cities for college graduates to find a job. NewDEAL Forum CEO Debbie Cox Bultan spoke about themes that would be echoed throughout the two-day event. “People are fed up with inaction, and they are rightfully demanding results,” she said about the cost-of-living crisis. Her remarks maintained a hope for the future, so long as elected officials focus on positive outcomes for the people they represent.
COST of living solutions: Housing
Phoenix Vice Mayor Kesha Hodge Washington, co-chair of the Forum’s Housing Task Force, laid out her city’s comprehensive housing effort, which included building affordable housing units for folks who make up the backbone of communities – teachers, firefighters, and nurses. NNew Rochelle, New York Mayor Yadira Ramos-Herbert noted that her city is transitioning empty parking lots and unused schools into housing for residents, while noting that decreasing rents show the New Rochelle Model's progress.
cost of living solutions: Energy
U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross, Jane Flegal, a Senior Fellow at Searchlight Institute, and moderator Josh Brooks, from the North Carolina Sustainable Energy Association, focused on how to support clean, reliable energy to meet rising demand in a way that is affordable and sustainable. Flegal called on state and local leaders to ensure that data centers pay their fair share when it comes to both energy usage as well as necessary upgrades to energy and transmission grids.
“What’s your foundational document?” with daniel squadron
Former New York State Senator and Co-Founder of The States Project Daniel Squadron posed this question to leaders: “What is Your Foundational Document?” He encouraged them to look to the U.S. Constitution and tell an overarching story of the country rather than presenting a collection of slogans.
cost of living solutions: child care
Maine House Speaker Ryan Fecteau and Bruce Lesley from First Focus on Children discussed rising costs of childcare. “The people providing the care for our kids and making it possible for moms and dads to go to work every day were being paid the least amount of money,” Speaker Fecteau said. In response, Maine created a stipend for child care workers, which helped stabilize the workforce, while revising zoning regulations that had hindered home-based child care centers.
North carolina lessons on expanding economic development
We’ve made real progress under Governor Roy Cooper and now Governor Josh Stein, not by chasing headlines, but by staying focused on what actually helps people build better lives,” said NC Lt. Governor Rachel Hunt in her remarks. The panel that followed, featuring NewDEAL Leaders NC Sen. Democratic Whip Jay Chaudhuri and Durham, NC Mayor Leonardo Williams, along with Andrea DeSantis, NC Department of Commerce; and Brad Wilson, highlighted how North Carolina is fueling economic growth through strategic workforce investments -- aligning training programs with business needs and expanding career opportunities in both rural and urban communities.
remarks from attorney general jeff jackson
NC Attorney General Jeff Jackson spoke about defending the rule of law, protecting consumers, and pushing back against federal overreach impacting North Carolina communities. He highlighted efforts to defend disaster relief funding, food assistance programs, and public education resources through the courts. Emphasizing his approach to public service, Jackson said, “Either you have the type of government that is willing to stick up for people when they’re being treated unfairly, or you don’t.”
remarks from associate justice allison riggs
NC Supreme Court Justice Allison Riggs delivered inspiring remarks on defending democratic institutions. Reflecting on her own experience confronting baseless election denial claims, she underscored that “democracy only works when those in power are committed to the rule of law, rather than just obtaining power,” said Justice Riggs.
Poll presentation from PPP Director Tom jensen
During the Summit, the NewDEAL Forum and Public Policy Polling released new survey results showing that Americans are deeply dissatisfied with the state of the economy, driven by rising costs
In his presentation and analysis, PPP Director Tom Jensen outlined the opportunities for Democrats heading into the midterms while emphasizing the need to focus on what matters to Americans. Cost of living topped the list of most important issues, with groceries, gas and energy, and healthcare putting the biggest pressures on households, while 43% say they are falling behind economically, compared to 13% who are getting ahead.
View key findings and the full survey results.
governing from red states
In a panel led by NewDEAL Forum CEO Debbie Cox Bultan, NewDEAL Leaders AR Rep. Nicole Clowney, MS Sen. Rod Hickman, and IN Rep. Blake Johnson shared how they build consensus to make progress from a legislative minority while playing effective defense to mitigate harmful legislation. "Our job is to stand up for our constituents, and that means working across the aisle," said Rep. Clowney.
defending democracy in 2026
Arizona Secretary of State Adrian Fontes and Jefferson County, CO, Clerk & Recorder Amanda Gonzalez joined the Brennan Center’s Liz Howard for a conversation on protecting election systems, combating misinformation, and defending voting rights amid growing political attacks on democratic institutions. Warning about the erosion of public trust, Gonzalez said, “The moment of deterioration of our democracy is now. It is happening in front of you. You must act.”
climate resiliency
NewDEAL Leader Canton, NC Mayor Zeb Smathers sat down with NC Secretary of Department of Environmental Quality D. Reid Wilson for a conversation on how communities must prepare for the rising frequency of natural disasters and ways to invest in resilient infrastructure. Mayor Smathers shared about his efforts to lead his town's economic recovery in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, saying “I would rather we spend money building bridges in North Carolina than ballrooms in DC.”
remarks from board chair anne slaughter andrew
Kicking off day two, Board Chair Anne Slaughter Andrew spoke about the importance of a “sense of place” and belonging, emphasizing the role of the NewDEAL Forum and gatherings like the Ideas Summit in bringing together experts and policymakers to identify solutions to the issues impacting families.
perspectives from a purple state
In a panel moderated NewDEAL Board Chair Andy Berke, NewDEAL Leader NC Senate Democratic Leader Sydney Batch joined Marcus Bass, Advance Carolina, and Professor Chris Cooper of Western Carolina University. They discussed what it takes to earn the trust of voters by building long-term support, listening to all voters, and delivering results. “We need to listen more. In North Carolina, we have been laser-focused on talking about affordability and cost of living,” said Leader Batch.
closing keynote from Rob Christensen
Wrapping up the Ideas Summit, award-winning author and journalist Rob Christensen offered a historical perspective on North Carolina’s political evolution and the forces shaping today’s political climate. He described the state as “main street America,” highlighting a tradition of business-minded progressivism, including strong investments in public and early childhood education. Christensen noted that “Democrats have won in North Carolina on pocketbook issues while downplaying divisive social issues.”
