As Trump nominee battles brew, NC Senate cleared of raucous onlookers
In the midst of the chaos surrounding President-elect Donald Trump’s nominees in Washington, a different yet equally tumultuous battle is unfolding just 300 miles away in North Carolina. The state’s Republicans are scrambling to maintain their veto-proof supermajority in the face of losing a single legislative seat in the state House. Their latest move involves attempting to override outgoing Democratic Governor Roy Cooper’s disapproval of a bill that would transfer gubernatorial authority over the NC Board of Elections to the State Auditor’s office.
The Senate successfully overrode the veto, but not without a major uproar that led to the clearing of the gallery. Now, the House is gearing up to make their own attempt at an override, but they’ve hit a snag in their plans. The bill, which was primarily focused on Hurricane Helene relief, was heavily criticized by Democrats as a blatant power grab. Part of the controversy stems from the fact that the GOP successfully won the Auditor’s office with Dave Boliek, but failed to secure the gubernatorial seat with Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson losing to Gov.-elect Josh Stein.
During the Senate vote, chaos erupted in the gallery with protesters chanting “Shame, Shame, Shame!” and accusing the bill of voter suppression and restructuring the state constitution. Lt. Gov. Mark Robinson, presiding over the Senate, was forced to clear the gallery multiple times amidst the disruptions. Despite the objections, the veto override was eventually successful.
Governor Cooper had previously labeled the bill as a “massive power grab” and criticized its lack of immediate funding for western North Carolina despite being labeled as hurricane relief. Jim Stirling of the John Locke Foundation weighed in on the controversy, highlighting the argument that the governor shouldn’t have sole authority over all appointments. The transfer of election board appointment powers to the State Auditor’s office would maintain the board’s independence while allowing the auditor to control appointments and funding.
The lawsuit related to this matter could potentially be affected by the veto override, as it challenges the governor’s authority over appointments. The move to shift appointment powers away from the governor’s office has faced legal battles in recent years, with rulings emphasizing the separation of powers between branches of government. In the state House, some Republicans from western North Carolina voted against the bill, citing its lack of direct funding for hurricane relief.
As the battle over appointments and power continues in North Carolina, the outcome remains uncertain. The political landscape is fraught with tension as both parties fight for control and influence. The state’s future hangs in the balance as the House prepares to make its move in the ongoing struggle for authority.
