Republicans from the North Carolina House of Representatives overrode a bill vetoed by the state's Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper, in a 72-46 supermajority vote, making it law to strip power from the governor and the state's attorney general and provide a third round of relief, $227 million, to victims of Hurricane Helene in western North Carolina.
The legislation curtails the governor's power, including the authority to appoint members of the state elections board, The Hill reported on Wednesday. This responsibility will now fall to the state auditor, a position set to be held by Republican Dave Boliek. Democrat Gov.-elect Josh Stein will assume office in 2025 under these new conditions.
Local North Carolina publication News & Observer reported that the bill had been written in secret and was fast-tracked. The House started debate on the bill an hour after it was made public.
Republicans will lose their veto-proof supermajority in 2025 due to the 2024 election results. The new law would preserve some of their power.