North Carolina lawmakers vote to override veto of controversial relief bill which weakens powers of NC's governor, among others
Dec 11, 2024
RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — On Wednesday afternoon, state lawmakers voted to override Governor Cooper's veto of Senate Bill 382, a controversial Helene relief bill that could strip power away from newly elected Democrats.
Protestors at the State Capitol Wednesday evening were escorted out of the building after the announcement of the vote.
The bill would also move $227 million from the state's fund to a Helene relief fund, however, it prohibits most of that money from being spent until state legislators determine how it will be used.
On Monday, protestors spent over an hour in front of the Capitol before marching into the Legislative Building.
Since it was voted to override the bill, it would go into law. This could mean that the newly GOP State Auditor could oversee appointments to the State Board of Elections instead of the governor.
In November, Democratic Governor Cooper vetoed the bill, calling it a "sham."
“This legislation is a sham. It does not send money to Western North Carolina but merely shuffles money from one fund to another in Raleigh. 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 Commission and Commander of the NC Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General’s ability to advocate for lower electric bills for consumers,” Cooper said.