NC Republicans Override Cooper’s Veto, Eroding Power of New Democrats
TL/DR –
The Republican-led North Carolina House overrode Governor Roy Cooper’s veto of SB 382, a bill initially presented as a hurricane relief package but in fact transferred several powers from Democrats to Republicans. The bill, now law, strips power from the governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction, among other changes, and it is expected to face legal challenges. Despite being touted for providing over $220 million in hurricane aid, the immediate implications of the law are increased power for the Republican legislature.
The NC Senate’s override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of SB 382 is set to become law, with potential legal challenges looming in the future.
The Republican-controlled North Carolina House on Wednesday overruled Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of SB 382, a bill initially introduced as a hurricane relief package. This move transfers several powers from the recently elected Democrats to Republicans.
After the GOP lost its supermajority in the 2024 elections, this week marked the last opportunity for the current legislature to pass the bill. The House vote was 72-46.
The bill has now become law, but might face legal action next year.
SB 382 strips power from various Democratic offices including the governor, attorney general, and superintendent of public instruction
Senate Bill (SB) 382 pledges over $220 million in future hurricane aid, but none immediately. Instead, it amplifies the power of the Republican legislature, arguably one of the most influential nationwide.
The new law:
- Transfers the governor’s power to appoint members of the bipartisan State Board of Elections (BOE) to the state auditor, an office won by Republicans last month.
- Mandates the attorney general to defend state laws in court, regardless of their constitutionality.
- Excludes the Lieutenant Governor, soon to be Democrat Rachel Hunt, from some state committees.
- Restricts the state superintendent of public instruction’s power to challenge decisions by the state board monitoring charter schools, removing a key check on its authority.
- Delegates several duties from the superintendent to another agency.
- Abolishes the judicial position of a judge who voted against the legislature on gerrymandering.
- Establishes new judgeships to be appointed by the legislature instead of voters.
After overriding the veto, protesters in the gallery started shouting. The House video audio was cut, and when it resumed, the protesters were still shouting. House Speaker Tim Moore, a Republican, looked up at the gallery with a smirk before the feed cut out again.
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