North Carolina Republicans set to pass bill that weakens new Democratic governor
RALEIGH, North Carolina — North Carolina legislative Republicans moved closer Monday to passing a measure that erode the powers of the new governor and other Democratic officials, and also putting constitutional amendments on the ballot that could strengthen the GOP’s election and tax policies.
Along party lines, the Republican-dominated state Senate successfully voted to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill that would in part weaken Gov.-elect Josh Stein, the next attorney general of Jeff Jackson and other Democrats also elected in November. lieutenant governor and superintendent of schools.
The changes are part of a 131-page measure initially approved two weeks ago during a lame-duck session of the General Assembly. Republicans advanced the measure because their current veto-proof majority on Cooper will likely end after this month with Democrats gaining additional seats in the House. That will give Stein, who takes office in January, a better chance to use his veto to successfully block bills he opposes.
Cooper vetoed the measure last weekcalling the bill a “sham” that does not contribute financially to helping Hurricane Helene recovery, even though “disaster relief” was included in the bill’s title. He also declared that the provisions changing the powers of the executive branch were unconstitutional. A provision that would take effect in the spring would end the governor’s power to appoint the State Board of Elections and transfer it to the auditor, who will now be Republican Dave Boliek.
The bill now returns to the House, where last month three Republicans voted against the measure. Such a margin, if it remains intact, could derail the attempted bypass expected next week. Senate Leader Phil Berger said after Monday’s vote that he was confident House Republicans would have the votes needed to complete the override. Even in this case, a dispute is possible.
The Republican Party-controlled legislature has been trying for several years to change the composition of the electoral board by passing laws that were blocked by the courts, including one last year that would shift appointment power from the governor’s board to the General Assembly.
As during the bill’s initial debate in the Senate two weeks ago, the House gallery was full of opponents of the bill who called it a Republican takeover after the electorate chose the Democrats in first place in the November 5 elections.
Republicans are “not listening to the voters of North Carolina,” said protester Della Hann, 64, of Southport. “There are checks and balances in government and they must be respected. »
But Berger said in a news release that the provisions “effectively balance our three branches of state government so that North Carolina remains on a positive trajectory, free from obstruction from the Democratic Party and liberal activists.”
Republican Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, president of the Senate, ordered the Senate gallery cleaned last month when visitors applauded one too many times during a debate on the measure. On Monday, Robinson cleared the gallery again following disruptions that occurred after the reading of Cooper’s veto message and just before the vote.
“Everyone needs to go,” Robinson said before calling for a 10-minute break. To avoid possible arrest, the demonstrators left the Legislative Building or calmed down outside the gallery.
Senate Republicans then approved in separate bills proposed amendments to the North Carolina Constitution related to voter photo identification and income tax caps.
Each received 30 votes – exactly the number needed for a constitutional referendum. To be placed on statewide ballots in November 2026, these measures would still need to pass the House by the end of the year and garner 72 votes. Constitutional amendments are not subject to veto.
A proposed referendum, if approved by a majority of voters, would amend the constitution to stipulate that all North Carolina voters must present a photo ID before voting. The constitution currently only specifies that this is required for in-person voting. Identification exceptions are now permitted and would remain with the amendment. The other referendum would set a cap on the income tax rate at 5%, compared to the current 7%.
Individual and corporate income tax rates are currently below 5 percent in the state, and state laws separate from the constitution already require those voting by mail to provide a photocopy of a document eligible identity.
Senate Republicans who support the ID issue said it’s important to ensure that all forms of voting are treated the same in the future when it comes to photo ID, which the GOP successfully got it approved in 2018, but only came into force last year. And with Republicans approving multiple income tax cuts over the years that have boosted the state’s economy, Cabarrus County Republican Sen. Paul Newton said it’s time to let voters decide whether to stay at a lower tier permanently.
Democrats opposed to a lower tax cap say the state already faces revenue challenges because lower tax rates will make it harder to meet major spending needs.
