As legislators wrapped up Long Session, Gov. Josh Stein vetoed several bills critical to continued reforms in North Carolina.
The legislation vetoed by Stein has an impact on everyday North Carolinians, and stands in stark contrast to the proactive, forward thinking actions taken by conservative leadership in the North Carolina General Assembly.
Some of the bills vetoed by Stein:
Senate Bill 227 – Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education
Senate Bill 558 – Eliminating “DEI” in Public Higher Ed.
House Bill 171 – Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI
Majority Leader Brenden Jones shared on X upon filing House Bill 171:
“Taxpayer dollars should fund merit, not woke agendas and identity politics. This bill upholds equal opportunity and ensures employment and contracts are based on qualifications, not quotas.”
House Bill 549 – Clarify Powers of State Auditor
We shared about House Bill 549 last month:
House Bill 549 strengthens the independence of the Auditor’s office, exempting the Auditor from the Department of Administration having to approve consultant contracts. It would also modify the Auditor’s relationship with Department of Information Technology to mirror that of DIT’s relationship with the Legislature and the judicial branch. These changes strengthen the Auditor’s independence to reduce any potential limitations on the Auditor’s ability to do their job.
Another critical piece of House Bill 549 is the expansion of the Auditor’s authority to investigate entities who receive public funds. Frequently government agencies contract work to outside entities, and the existing law’s limit of the Auditor’s power to investigate agencies and state employees means that contracted entities have no oversight of their use of taxpayer dollars.
Following Gov. Stein’s veto, State Auditor Dave Boliek issued a press release:
“Our agency bill was written to protect the independence of the State Auditor’s Office. Throughout the process we were transparent, incorporating feedback from legislators and the governor’s office.
“The autonomy and independence of watchdog agencies like the State Auditor’s Office, especially with regard to information technology and our ability to examine data when conducting audits, is critical to our mission.
“Governor Stein’s veto undercuts the important principles of accountability and transparency that taxpayers expect from their government. Further, as the governor is aware, our office already has the authority to hold those who receive tax dollars accountable. I have confidence the legislature will stand up for these principles and override the governor’s veto.”
House Bill 318 – Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act
The Criminal Illegal Alien Enforcement Act received praise from various law enforcement organizations, including the North Carolina Sheriffs’ Association, the North Carolina Fraternal Order of Police, the North Carolina Troopers Association, and the North Carolina Police Benevolent Association.
Following the veto Speaker Destin Hall shared on X:
“Gov. Stein has made one thing clear today: he stands with criminal illegal aliens and the most radical elements of his party’s base over the safety and security of North Carolinians. Make no mistake, the NC House will override the Governor’s veto at the earliest opportunity.”
Senate Bill 254 – Charter School Changes
The North State Journal reported following Stein’s veto:
Senate Bill 254 would clarify that rules or policies adopted by the N.C. State Board of Education (NCBOE) must first be approved by the Charter School Review Board (CSRB). In recent years, the NCBOE has attempted to retain control over charters despite legislation making the CSRB the approval entity for those schools.
Among the key provisions, the CSRB is authorized to conduct hearings around the review of financial assistance for charters, to employ legal counsel as needed without having to obtain permission or approval, and grants oversight to the CSRB of the executive director for the Department of Public Instruction’s Office of Charter Schools.
Additionally, the CRSB would notify the NCBOE when a charter fails fiscal management standards. Currently, the state superintendent has that responsibility.
State Treasurer Brad Briner blasted Gov. Stein’s veto, sharing on X:
As a member of the State Board of Education, I have been consistently appalled at the opposition to school choice and charter schools that has been apparent since my first meeting in January. Families need to be able to choose an education that best meets their child’s needs, and an independent Charter School Review Board is best equipped to oversee these schools. I hope the legislature will override the Governor’s veto of SB254.
Senate Bill 266 – Power Bill Reduction Act
“I’m disappointed in the governor’s veto of the “Power Bill Reduction Act,” which would have delivered cheap, reliable energy to North Carolina, cut the red tape that is choking innovation and long-term energy solutions, and saved consumers over $12 billion dollars. Considering the strong bipartisan support in both chambers, we anticipate overriding this veto.”
