Governor Josh Stein has changed the climate in Raleigh.

And brighter days may be ahead for North Carolina – especially for public schools and teachers.

At Stein’s encouragement, House Democrats voted last night – by 27-20 – to approve House Republicans’ proposed budget.

The Governor believes the final budget that comes out of a House-Senate conference committee will be better if he, Speaker Destin Hall, House Republicans and a goodly number of Democrats stand together.

Those 27 Democrats choked down their distaste for parts of the budget – like tax-paid private-school vouchers – because the House proposal levels out tax cuts and provides good teacher pay raises.

Stein proposed 10.7% teacher pay raises. The Senate budget has 3.3% raises, and the House, 8.7%

Stein, who visited the Legislative Building before the vote, said, “The House’s proposed budget isn’t perfect. But I am pleased that the House raises teacher pay to make North Carolina’s starting teacher salaries the second-highest in the Southeast and rewards our state employees with a raise. The House budget also makes important investments in public safety, child care, and workforce training.”

The budget also restores master’s degree pay for teachers.

Stein has been working toward this since he took office. He has deliberately lowered partisan temperatures.

He has nurtured relationships with Republican legislative leaders. One said, “I’ve talked to Governor Stein more in four months than I did to Governor Cooper in four years.”

They say Stein calls often – not with an agenda; just to check in.

It’s smart strategy, for the Governor, for House Democrats and for the state.

Some of the 27 fear they’ll be primaried over their votes. But they have a good defense: “I voted with Governor Stein, and I voted for teachers.”

When I worked for Governor Jim Hunt, we had a mantra when we didn’t get all we wanted from the legislature: “Good start. Right direction. Lot left to do.”

This is a good start. And there’s a lot left to do.