Gov. Cooper talks Panthers, priorities with Charlotte City Council

RALEIGH, N.C. — After spending two days discussing their priorities for the year ahead, Charlotte City Council had the opportunity to hear from Gov. Roy Cooper about what’s at the top of his list.

Cooper told the council he wants to raise teachers’ pay to the national average and expand Medicaid.

[David Tepper wants indoor practice bubble for the Panthers]

He also promised to keep working with the city to keep one of the state's most valuable economic drivers in Charlotte, the Carolina Panthers.

"Obviously we want the Panthers in North Carolina," Cooper said. "We want them in our economy and the fabric of Charlotte and the entire state for that matter."

Cooper said he has met with Panthers' owner David Tepper.

He said Tepper has a lot of ideas about what he wants to do, including potentially hosting NCAA basketball's Final Four.

Cooper said it's too early to talk about what state or city involvement might be needed to make that happen.

"I think they just need to know they are going to have support from the state, the city government," Cooper said. "We want them here and we will figure out the specifics of that as we go along."

In the next two days, he will select who will sit on the elections board that will determine the outcome of the Mark Harris-Dan McCready race in the 9th Congressional District.

He's confident no matter who is picked, they will be impartial and will approach an evidentiary hearing with an open mind. He declined to say who he is selecting.

"Clearly these are serious allegations," he said. "They need a fair hearing."

Cooper said he wants the state to work with city council on affordable housing. The city will discuss its legislative agenda at the retreat Wednesday.

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