The North Carolina Senate voted to override Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of Senate Bill 382 on Monday, pushing the legislation one step closer to becoming law.
The legislation, passed quickly by the North Carolina General Assembly in mid-November, allocates $227 million for disaster relief in western North Carolina. However, it also includes major changes to state government powers as Republicans prepare to lose their supermajority in 2025.
Key provisions include stripping the governor of direct control over the State Board of Elections (NCSBE) and transferring this authority to the state auditor, who will be Republican Dave Boliek in January.
“This legislation was titled disaster relief, but instead violates the Constitution by taking appointments away from the next governor, for the board of elections, utilities commissions and commander of the North Carolina Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General’s ability to advocate for lower electrical bills for consumers,” Cooper said in his veto message.
The Senate overrided the veto in a 30 to 19 vote on Monday along party lines after a brief recess due to loud disruptions from protestors, prompting Senate President and Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson to clear the gallery.
“Members, I continue to ask for your support for this bill, despite the spicy language the governor tried to throw in his little veto message that’s coming in,” said Sen Ralph Hise, R-Michell, explaing that the legislation restructures the executive branch of the government. “This is good policy for the state of North Carolina.”
The bill also eliminates the positions of two Democrat judges in Wake and Forsyth Counties and replaces them with two new special Superior Court judgeships appointed by the Republican-controlled General Assembly.
The House is expected to take up the legislation next week when legislators return to Raleigh for their final session.