The American Democracy Minute Radio Report & Podcast for Dec. 6, 2024
Today’s Script
(Variations occur with audio due to editing for time. Today’s Links below the script)
You’re listening to the American Democracy Minute, keeping YOUR government by and for the people.
Before a new Democratic governor takes office in January and it loses its supermajority, the GOP-controlled North Carolina legislature used a hurricane relief bill to strip power from the governor and attorney general. The draconian changes hinge on a pending veto override vote in the state House.
The bare-knuckle bill was short on hurricane relief, and long on keeping power out of the hands of Democrats. Earlier this year, a 2023 bill attempting to strip the power of the governor to appoint county election boards was struck down by the state’s court of appeals. Now, Senate Bill 382 tries to remove that power by shifting it to the incoming state auditor, a Republican.
In his veto message, current Governor Roy Cooper called the bill “a sham” and unconstitutional, and Democrats have declared it an outrageous power grab. The bill also includes a proposed constitutional amendment requiring voter ID for mail-in ballots, and bans the attorney general from opposing the legislature in court.
The state senate voted December 2nd to override Cooper’s veto, and the House vote is pending. North Carolina Newsline reports that it’s unclear whether Republicans have the vote in the House to override, with three House GOP lawmakers unhappy with inadequate hurricane relief funding, having voted against the original bill.
We have the text of the bill and great local reporting linked at AmericanDemocracyMinute.org. I’m Brian Beihl.
Today’s Links
Articles & Resources:
NC General Assembly – SENATE BILL 382: Disaster Relief-3/Budget/Various Law Changes.
Courthouse News Service – North Carolina Republicans blasted for using lame-duck session to wrest control of government
Gov. Roy Cooper – Statement on his veto of SB382
NC Newsline – Despite protests, NC Senate overrides Cooper’s veto of bill that shifts executive power
WUNC – Lame-duck NC Senate approves constitutional amendment ballot measures alongside veto override
WRAL – Amid protests, Senate overrides Cooper’s veto of bill stripping power from governor, other Democratic officials
The News & Observer – Will NC Republicans have the votes to override Cooper’s veto of powers-stripping bill?
Groups Taking Action:
Democracy North Carolina, League of Women Voters NC, Common Cause NC
Register or Check Your Voter Registration:
U.S. Election Assistance Commission – Register And Vote in Your State
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