NC Governor Josh Stein Vetoes 3 Bills, Signs 9

Raleigh --  North Carolina Governor Josh Stein recently made headlines by signing nine bills into law and, notably, exercising his veto power on three others.

This draws clear line between his administration's priorities and those of the Republican-controlled General Assembly.

Vetoed Bill Spotlight: House Bill 193 and the Debate Over Guns in Schools

One of the most significant vetoes concerned House Bill 193, which aimed to permit employees or volunteers in private schools to carry concealed firearms on school premises under certain conditions. Governor Stein’s decision to veto this bill underscores his firm stance on school safety, emphasizing the role of trained law enforcement.

In a strong statement regarding his decision to veto House Bill 193, Governor Stein declared:

"This bill would make our children less safe. Just as we should not allow guns in the General Assembly, we should keep them out of our schools unless they are in the possession of law enforcement. Law enforcement officers receive more than 800 hours of public safety education, including firearms training. On top of that, School Resource Officers receive additional training to know how to respond to crises and how to de-escalate conflicts, a requirement I supported when I was Attorney General. We cannot substitute the protection offered by well-trained law enforcement officers by asking teachers and school volunteers to step in and respond to crises while armed. Just last year, an employee at a religious school in Goldsboro left a gun in a bathroom that was later found by an elementary school student. I support, however, the provision in this legislation to better protect local elected officials from threats to their safety, and I urge the General Assembly to send me a clean bill with those protections so I can sign it."

The governor's statement highlights his belief that the presence of armed, non-law enforcement personnel in schools could inadvertently increase risk rather than enhance security, citing the extensive training required for law enforcement officers and a specific incident as cautionary examples. He did, however, express support for a separate provision within the bill that would increase protections for local elected officials and urged the legislature to resubmit that portion as a standalone measure.

Other Vetoes: Transparency and Humane Practices

Governor Stein also vetoed two other bills, each for distinct reasons:

House Bill 96: Pet Shop Regulation Restrictions: This bill, which saw a last-minute addition to its original purpose of expediting squatter removal, would have prevented local governments from prohibiting or restricting the sale of animals from licensed pet shops. Governor Stein vetoed it, asserting that the added provision "would facilitate inhumane puppy mills in North Carolina." He emphasized that he would have signed the bill had it not included this specific language.

Senate Bill 416: Nonprofit Privacy: This legislation aimed to prevent public agencies from collecting or releasing certain information about 501(c) nonprofit organizations' donors, members, or volunteers. Governor Stein vetoed this bill due to concerns that it "reduces transparency and creates more opportunity for dark money in our politics," particularly regarding campaign finance and candidates' legal funds. He also suggested it would hinder the Department of Revenue's ability to combat certain types of tax fraud. Proponents of the bill argued it was essential for protecting donor privacy and freedom of speech.

Signed Bills: Advancing Public Safety, Healthcare, and State Efficiency

While the vetoes captured significant attention, Governor Stein also approved nine pieces of legislation that will impact various aspects of North Carolina life. These include:

Criminal Justice and Public Safety Measures: Several signed bills are described as comprehensive criminal justice and public safety measures. These are expected to increase penalties for a range of offenses, including burglary, retail theft, reckless driving, and hit-and-run incidents. They also aim to protect utility and communications workers and make it easier for domestic violence victims to obtain restraining orders, while also increasing penalties for fentanyl sales.

Healthcare Enhancements: One significant bill strengthens North Carolina's Medicaid program by extending postpartum coverage for women to 12 months, expanding access to telehealth services, and introducing a new statewide Medicaid health plan for children and young adults in the child welfare system. Another key bill, Senate Bill 479, seeks to enhance accountability and protect community pharmacies from potentially unfair business practices by Pharmacy Benefit Managers, which is anticipated to lead to lower prescription drug costs for consumers.

Support for Military and Veterans: A signed bill aims to assist active-duty military personnel and veterans by reducing government fees and improving access to higher education. It also streamlines processes for military families enrolling children in school and renewing driver's licenses remotely.

Organ Donation and Public Health: Senate Bill 600 enables individuals to register as organ donors when filing tax returns and includes provisions to protect patients from toxic chemicals. It also supports schools in recruiting nurses and provides resources for treating children with severe allergies.

Streamlining State Government Employment: Senate Bill 124 will make it easier for individuals without college degrees to qualify for state government positions. The bill mandates a review of existing education and experience requirements and aims to streamline the hiring process, a move intended to address significant job vacancies within state government.

The Road Ahead for Vetoed Legislation

The three bills vetoed by Governor Stein will now return to the General Assembly. The Republican majority has the option to attempt to override these vetoes, which would require a three-fifths majority vote in both the House and Senate. While an override in the Senate might be more attainable, Republicans are reportedly one vote short of a party-line supermajority in the House, indicating a potential challenge for an override without bipartisan support. The coming legislative sessions will reveal whether the General Assembly can garner the necessary votes to enact these bills over the governor's objections.

WNCTimes

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