Governor Roy Cooper (D) vetoed one bill from July 17-23. He vetoed H219, which would have made “various changes to the laws affecting charter schools,” including easing enrollment restrictions and allowing charter schools to utilize property tax to fund capital needs.
In his veto message, Cooper said, “This bill allowing more students to attend failing charter schools risks their education and their future. The State Board of Education should continue to oversee the enrollment growth of charter schools to assure success. North Carolina should continue to cap the enrollment growth of low-performing charter schools until they can show that they improve student achievement. Finally, diverting local resources to build charter schools without clear authority on who owns them risks financial loss to county taxpayers who have no recourse.”
As of July 25, Ballotpedia could not identify a response from the bill’s sponsors.
Overriding a gubernatorial veto requires a three-fifths vote from both chambers of the legislature. North Carolina is one of seven states to require a three-fifths majority. The North Carolina House voted 61-41 to approve the bill on July 12. The North Carolina Senate voted 27-12 to approve the bill on June 29. Rep. John Torbett (R) introduced the legislation on Feb. 28.
There are currently six active vetoes in North Carolina in 2023. This count does not include vetoes that have been overturned by the legislature. During the week of July 17-23, the nation’s governors vetoed four bills. Governors in Alaska, California, Missouri, and North Carolina each vetoed one. Governors in 46 states vetoed no legislation. Democratic and Republican governors each issued two of the four vetoes.
Cooper has served as governor since Jan. 1, 2017. He successfully vetoed six bills in 2022. There are currently 528 active vetoes nationwide in 2023. This count does not include vetoes that have been overturned by state legislatures. Republican governors issued 267, while Democratic governors issued 261. North Carolina is a divided government, meaning neither party holds trifecta control.
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