North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper, D, vetoed a bill that would strip powers from incoming Gov. 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, adding provisions that take 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 focuses on changing laws related to state government powers.
Republicans will lose their legislative supermajorities in the state next year, but they will still hold majorities in both sections of the state Legislature.
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If passed, the bill will move many powers from positions set to be held by Democrats to ones set to be held by Republicans.
It moves power over the State Board of Elections from the Democratic governor and governor-elect, to the state auditor. The incoming auditor, Dave Boliek, is a Republican.
This legislation is a sham. It does not send money to Western North Carolina.
Gov. Roy Cooper, North Carolina.
Two state judges elected by voters would lose 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.
Gov. Cooper issued sharp criticism of the bill in a statement, along with his veto.
“This legislation was titled disaster relief but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments away from the next Governor,” he said.
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 state Legislature returns Monday, Dec. 1. Republicans have overridden all 11 of Cooper’s previous vetoes this year. However, a handful of Republican legislators say they have 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.
