NC Gov. Cooper vetoes bill weakening Dems, providing disaster aid

[KARAH RUCKER]

North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that would strip powers from incoming Governor Josh Stein and other Democrats assuming statewide elected offices.

Republican legislators updated a bill setting aside disaster relief money for areas affected by Hurricane Helene to add provisions taking powers away from elected Democrats.

The bill sets aside over $200 million for relief, but other aid provisions were cut. Most of the current bill is geared toward changing laws related to state government powers.

Republicans are set to lose their legislative supermajorities in the state next year but will still hold majorities in both the State House and Senate.

And the bill moves many powers from positions set to be held by Democrats to ones set to be held by Republicans.

It moves the State Board of Elections and the power to appoint its members from the Democratic governor and governor-elect, to the state auditor. The incoming auditor, Dave Boliek, is a Republican.

Two state judges elected by voters would be removed from their roles, with the bill giving the power to appoint their replacements to the legislature.

North Carolina’s attorney general and attorney general-elect, both Democrats, would lose the power to argue against laws passed by the state legislature.

Governor Roy Cooper issued sharp criticism of the bill in a statement along with his veto. “This legislation is a sham. It does not send money to Western North Carolina,” Cooper said.

Later adding “This legislation was titled disaster relief but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments away from the next Governor.”

Republican sponsors say the bill fixes a host of issues in state government. In particular, they allege the state election board has operated unfairly under Democratic control.

The legislature returns Monday. Republicans have overridden all 11 of Cooper’s previous vetoes this year, but a handful of Republican legislators have signaled their concerns with the bill. Republicans would need every single member to side with them to successfully override the veto, unless they can persuade any Democrats to join them.

For Straight Arrow News, I’m Karah Rucker.

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