Latest news with #RoyCooper
Yahoo
11 hours ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Governor Stein vetoes three bills, including controversial Duke Energy emissions proposal
Governor Josh Stein applies his veto stamp to a bill on Wednesday, July 2, 2025. (Screenshot from Governor's Office X video.) Governor Josh Stein vetoed three bills Wednesday afternoon, including an expansion of the state auditor's powers and a controversial reduction in emissions standards sought by Duke Energy. In a slew of bill actions, Stein issued three vetoes and signed seven other bills passed by the General Assembly. The decisions bring Stein's veto total for the term to seven, after he previously rejected bills on the permitless carry of concealed firearms, immigration enforcement, and environmental policy changes last month. That's roughly on pace with the previous legislative session — by this point in 2023, Governor Roy Cooper had vetoed eight bills, though all were ultimately overturned. So far, none of Stein's vetoes have been overridden, as the legislature has a very narrow path to do so. Though Republicans hold a veto-proof, 30-20 supermajority in the state Senate, they are one seat short of the 72 votes needed in the 120-seat House, meaning any veto override would require either support from a House Democrat or absences. The highest-profile veto Wednesday was of Senate Bill 266, a proposal that would cut greenhouse gas emissions requirements for Duke Energy while allowing the utility monopoly to charge higher rates to fund the construction of new electric facilities. SB 266 would eliminate a 2030 goal to reduce carbon emissions by 70% for electric companies that service more than 150,000 customers, leaving intact only a 2050 goal for carbon neutrality. It would also allow for large electric companies to raise rates to cover future generating facilities, so long as estimates show the new facilities would yield long-term savings for customers. This bill is the most likely of the three to see a successful veto override, as it received votes from 11 House Democrats last month, meaning it already has the support of a supermajority of House representatives. Stein took aim at the bill for its potential to raise utility costs on consumers in the short-term. 'This summer's record heat and soaring utility bills has shown that we need to focus on lowering electricity costs for working families — not raising them. And as our state continues to grow, we need to diversify our energy portfolio so that we are not overly reliant on natural gas and its volatile fuel markets. Recent independent analysis of Senate Bill 266 shows that this bill could cost North Carolina ratepayers up to $23 billion through 2050 due to higher fuel costs. This bill not only makes everyone's utility bills more expensive, but it also shifts the cost of electricity from large industrial users onto the backs of regular people — families will pay more so that industry pays less. Additionally, this bill walks back our state's commitment to reduce carbon emissions, sending the wrong signal to businesses that want to be a part of our clean energy economy. My job is to do everything in my power to lower costs and grow the economy. This bill fails that test.' – Governor Josh Stein In a statement issued following the veto, a Dan Crawford of the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters praised Stein for rejecting what he called a false choice between low costs and clean power, a trade-off he said, that represented 'a scam pushed by wealthy utilities to protect their profits at the expense of our communities.' 'Governor Stein continues to stand up for hardworking North Carolinians against Duke Energy's greed,' said Crawford, the NCLCV's director of government relations. 'Senate Bill 266 would have raised residential energy bills, put ratepayers on the hook for Duke's expansion, and gutted a key state climate goal — cutting carbon emissions 70% by 2030. An independent study found removing this target goal would cost ratepayers an additional $23 billion by 2050.' A spokesperson for Duke Energy did not respond to a request for comment. Republican legislative leaders in the House and Senate bashed Stein's veto decision, with Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger labeling him a 'Green New Deal Radical,' arguing that the bill would in fact save North Carolinians $15 billion in electric costs. House Speaker Destin Hall said in a statement that he expects a veto override to succeed. 'I'm disappointed in the governor's veto of the 'Power Bill Reduction Act,' which would have delivered cheap, reliable energy to North Carolina, cut the red tape that is choking innovation and long-term energy solutions, and saved consumers over $12 billion dollars,' Hall said. 'Considering the strong bipartisan support in both chambers, we anticipate overriding this veto.' An analysis posted June 30th by researchers at NC State University said that the bill would lead to a $23 billion increase in fuel costs through 2050. A bill whose fate would appear cloudier is House Bill 549, which would grant broad investigative powers into any entity receiving state or federal funding to the State Auditor's Office, while also exempting the office from several state requirements. HB 549 comes as Auditor Dave Boliek has received broad new grants of authority from the state legislature, including oversight of the State Board of Elections, a shift that flipped the board from control by a Democratic majority to a Republican one. Stein cited the state's commercial interests as a chief reason for vetoing the bill. 'House Bill 549 would grant the Auditor sweeping access to the data and records of any private corporation that accepts any amount of state funding. Giving the Auditor this intrusive power may undermine our state's efforts to recruit businesses to North Carolina. Additionally, the bill would remove the Office of State Auditor from the state's cybersecurity efforts led by the Department of Information Technology, putting North Carolinians' personal identifying information at heightened risk of a breach.' – Governor Josh Stein Though state legislative leaders did not address the bill's veto, Boliek said in a statement that Stein's veto undermines the 'autonomy and independence' of the state auditor's office, citing a need for greater latitude to perform its watchdog function. 'Governor Stein's veto undercuts the important principles of accountability and transparency that taxpayers expect from their government,' Boliek said. 'Further, as the governor is aware, our office already has the authority to hold those who receive tax dollars accountable. I have confidence the legislature will stand up for these principles and override the governor's veto.' If the legislature attempts to override Stein's veto of HB 549, it will likely face a narrow path to success. Only a single House Democrat, Rep. Shelly Willingham of Edgecombe County, voted to concur with the Senate's passage of the bill in June, after having previously voted against it in May. To overcome the veto, Republicans will need to retain his support while ensuring full attendance from their own caucus. In his third veto of the day, Stein rejected Senate Bill 254, an overhaul of charter school laws in the state that would delegate greater authority to the state's Charter Schools Review Board, including allowing it to reject State Board of Education rules that would apply to charter schools. Stein wrote in his veto statement that giving the CSRB the authority to overrule the State Board of Education would violate the North Carolina state constitution. 'Senate Bill 254 is an unconstitutional infringement on the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additionally, it weakens accountability of charter schools when every North Carolina student deserves excellent public schools, whether traditional or charter.' – Governor Josh Stein Objecting to the veto, the North Carolina Coalition for Charter Schools issued a statement arguing that charter schools in the state require greater independence and flexibility to operate than is currently provided. 'The success of public charter schools hinges on their flexibility and autonomy,' said Dave Machado, the coalition's executive director. 'The legislature rightly placed at the front line of charter schools regulation and oversight a body of public charter school experts insulated from political maneuverings that have hamstrung the charter school sector in other states.' Machado also disputed that the state constitution prevents this change, noting that the clause empowering the State Board of Education states that its authority is 'subject to laws enacted by the General Assembly.' As with the energy bill, supporters of SB 254 appear at first blush to have sufficient numbers to override the governor's veto. Eight Democrats joined with Republicans to pass the bill in the House, more than enough to provide a supermajority vote. Stein's busy week is likely to continue, as 30 bills passed by the General Assembly still await his signature, according to the legislature's website, including three controversial prohibitions on diversity, equity, and inclusion policies.
Politico
2 days ago
- Politics
- Politico
‘Unprecedented' national cash: North Carolina Dems have tunnel vision for Roy Cooper
Roy Cooper would solve a lot of Democrats' problems in North Carolina — and it'd still be an uphill battle. The state's soon-to-be-vacated U.S. Senate seat is the party's most tantalizing pickup opportunity on a difficult 2026 Senate map. Democrats haven't won the state in nearly two decades, and for months, they've been waiting for the two-term former governor to decide whether he'll enter the race and immediately boost their prospects through his strong approval ratings and fundraising network. Cooper's looming decision has effectively frozen recruitment in the state and no one else, many Democrats privately concede, can match his chances. The pressure on Cooper intensified over the weekend, when Republican Sen. Thom Tillis announced that he wouldn't be running for reelection, after he clashed with President Donald Trump over Medicaid cuts in his megabill. 'He has the best shot and he is the most sure shot,' said Democratic state Sen. Graig Meyer. 'Once you get past Roy Cooper, everyone else has a shot, yes, but then it's dependent on any number of things going right for them.' Morgan Jackson, Cooper's top political adviser, confirmed the ex-governor is 'strongly considering a run' and 'will decide in the coming weeks.' He added that Tillis' decision hasn't changed Cooper's calculus. But it does change Democrats' prospects. The new reality of competing for an open battleground seat instead of trying to oust a two-term incumbent intensifies the party's search for a candidate if Cooper doesn't run. As former North Carolina Rep. G.K. Butterfield, who has directly urged Cooper to run, said: 'If he's going to run, we need to know quickly.' North Carolina's Senate seats have eluded Democrats since 2008. Even as Cooper and his successor, Democrat Josh Stein, won the governorship by defining themselves outside the national Democratic brand, candidates haven't succeeded in replicating that federally for years. That's part of Cooper's allure — his strong in-state brand and aw-shucks demeanor, coupled with his ability to draw major donors to an expensive state, is unique among potential candidates, said several national and North Carolina Democrats who were granted anonymity to candidly assess the looming primary. 'The national money we could have here with Cooper in this race would be unprecedented,' said one Democratic operative in the state. 'Cooper opens up donor money that could radically transform what's possible here.' A national Democratic consultant who has worked in North Carolina called Cooper 'maybe the only candidate who can win in this political environment, when Democratic branding is in the toilet.' Cooper was the state's attorney general for 16 years, topping national Democrats' recruitment lists for years before running for governor in 2016. He unseated Republican Gov. Pat McCrory the same year Trump won the state. He led during several natural disasters, including the Hurricane Helene that devastated western North Carolina last September. And he left his post with a strong approval rating. 'He has a brand, a reputation, for being a down-to-earth, good man, and it's harder to demonize someone when they know who you are,' said North Carolina state Sen. Lisa Grafstein. 'He's able to overcome the way the national narrative pushes toward Republicans in federal races here because people know him.' The Republican primary to replace Tillis could be messy — though Trump's endorsement could help clear a path. Lara Trump, the president's daughter-in-law, is considering a bid, as are Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley and Rep. Pat Harrigan, a former Army Special Forces officer who won a House seat in November. Cooper's backers believe he 'would clear the field' and avoid infighting on the Democratic side, Butterfield said, 'I'm rather confident of that.' At least one Democrat hasn't waited for Cooper: Former Rep. Wiley Nickel, who didn't run for reelection to his House seat in 2024 after a redrawing of his district, entered the race in April. In an interview, he argued that his experience flipping a swing seat in 2022 prepared him to do the same statewide against 'no matter which MAGA loyalist Donald Trump handpicks to run in North Carolina.' When asked whether he would continue to run were Cooper to jump in, Nickel said, 'right now, [Cooper] is not a candidate and I'm running for the Senate, so any kind of hypotheticals, I don't want to go there.' Should Cooper not run, several other Democrats are also eager to jump in. Among the North Carolina Democrats being whispered about as potential candidates are former Rep. Dan McCready, former Environmental Protection Agency Director Michael Regan, Lt. Gov. Rachel Hunt, state Rep. Sarah Crawford and Canton, N.C., Mayor Zeb Smathers. Attorney General Jeff Jackson, who won his statewide office in 2024, would 'I'm sure get a call from [U.S. Sen. Chuck] Schumer … if Cooper didn't get in,' said one state-based Democratic strategist, granted anonymity. Jackson, who won a House seat in suburban Charlotte after he dropped out of the 2022 Senate primary, built a buzzy profile for himself in Congress. He posted regularly on TikTok, picking up more than 2 million followers — giving him, like Cooper, more name recognition. Even though some Democrats said they were excited for a fresh face, the first operative said, 'nobody knows who they are and there isn't enough time now to build that name recognition in-state and with national donors.' Jackson did not return requests for comment. Even progressives — riding high after democratic socialist Zohran Mamdani toppled former Gov. Andrew Cuomo in the New York City mayoral race last week — are likely to hold their fire if Cooper mounts a bid. 'If it's Roy Cooper, there's no point for anyone else to run,' said a progressive strategist who helps recruit candidates and was granted anonymity to discuss the race candidly. 'But no one is getting out the way for Wiley fucking Nickel.' Holly Otterbein contributed reporting.
New York Times
3 days ago
- Politics
- New York Times
With Tillis Out, North Carolina's Senate Race Will Draw Parties' Firepower
The announcement this past weekend from Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina that he will not seek re-election is renewing the focus on a Senate race that was poised to be one of the two top contests on the 2026 midterm map. For months, Democrats were eager to run against Mr. Tillis, who was being squeezed from both the political left and right as he sought to navigate life as a battleground-state senator with President Trump in the White House. Officials in both parties acknowledged that Mr. Tillis was in a weakened political state. He won his last re-election in 2020 only after his Democratic opponent was engulfed in an extramarital sexting scandal, and he has long had an arms-length relationship with the Trump base of his party. In recent months, several North Carolina Republicans have inquired about either mounting a primary challenge to Mr. Tillis or seeking the nomination with the expectation that the senator would not run again. Democrats, for the most part, have yielded to their expected front-runner, former Gov. Roy Cooper, who left office at the start of this year. During his farewell address to the state in December, he pointedly declared: 'I'm not done.' Here are four key questions about North Carolina's Senate race. Will former Gov. Roy Cooper run? Mr. Cooper is by far the most popular Democrat in North Carolina. He is undefeated as a statewide candidate, having won four elections as attorney general and two as governor. In 2012, Republicans did not even bother to put up a candidate against Mr. Cooper. Want all of The Times? Subscribe.
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Lara Trump considers Senate bid in North Carolina
Lara Trump is one of the many Republicans weighing a run for North Carolina 's open Senate seat after criticism from President Donald Trump pushed Senator Thom Tillis into retirement. But it may not be hers for the taking even if she has the support of her famous family. Several other Republicans are considering a bid, including former party chairman Michael Whatley, who is seen as a strong contender; Congressman Pat Harrigan; and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, sources tell DailyMail. Lara, however, would have the Trump family support if she runs, a source familiar told DailyMail. Lara is married to Eric Trump , the president's third child. And Eric sparked talk of a Trump political dynasty earlier this month when he told the Financial Times that a political career would be 'would be an easy one' for family members, if they took that option. North Carolina is a longtime battleground state where Democrats tend to win the governorships and Republicans the Senate seats. Democrats, however, see the retirement of Tillis, a well-liked Republican senator, as a chance to change their luck. The party is pushing former Gov. Roy Cooper, a popular politician, to run for the seat. Asked if he would back a successor for his seat, Tillis didn't answer. 'Dependent upon whether or not President Trump endorses somebody it could be an open primary,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Sunday night.. 'He could close it out and the party could get behind it, I suspect that's what they do. I just really hope he has some discernment because obviously Mark Robinson was a bad pick.' Robinson, the scandal-ridden lieutenant governor, lost last year's gubernatorial race to Democrat Josh Stein even as Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in the presidential race. Lara Trump, a North Carolina native who graduated from N.C. State University, currently anchors a weekend show on Fox News. During the 2024 election, she served as co-chair of Republican National Committee. In that contest, President Trump backed Whatley to be chairman with Lara Trump as his deputy. The duo served together through the election. She was previously floated as a potential Senate candidate when former Republican Sen. Richard Burr retired. She opted not to launch a campaign for the seat. Eric and Lara currently live in Florida. Lara was touted as a candidate to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate when he was confirmed as secretary of state but, again, she opted to stay out of politics. She said she worries about moving her family to Washington D.C., pointing to advice she received from her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who both worked in the first Trump Administration. 'It was tough on them personally, but it was really tough on their family,' she told Time magazine in February. 'Even if I decided to move my whole family, dogs and all, up to Washington, D.C., I still think that it probably would have been a big challenge for my kids and for us as a whole.' Eric Trump, speaking to the Financial Times a few weeks ago, expressed the same concerns about his children and a political life. Tillis announced his retirement on Sunday after Trump whacked him over his opposition to the president's 'big, beautiful' budget bill currently making its way through the Senate . Tillis was one of two Republican senators who voted against the 'motion to proceed' on Trump's budget bill Saturday evening, along with Kentucky Republican Rand Paul .
Daily Mail
3 days ago
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Lara Trump's next big political move revealed after husband Eric drops major hint
Lara Trump is one of the many Republicans weighing a run for North Carolina 's open Senate seat after criticism from President Donald Trump pushed Senator Thom Tillis into retirement. But it may not be hers for the taking even if she has the support of her famous family. Several other Republicans are considering a bid, including former party chairman Michael Whatley, who is seen as a strong contender; Congressman Pat Harrigan; and Army Secretary Dan Driscoll, sources tell DailyMail. Lara, however, would have the Trump family support if she runs, a source familiar told DailyMail. Lara is married to Eric Trump, the president's third child. And Eric sparked talk of a Trump political dynasty earlier this month when he told the Financial Times that a political career would be 'would be an easy one' for family members, if they took that option. North Carolina is a longtime battleground state where Democrats tend to win the governorships and Republicans the Senate seats. Democrats, however, see the retirement of Tillis, a well-liked Republican senator, as a chance to change their luck. The party is pushing former Gov. Roy Cooper, a popular politician, to run for the seat. Asked if he would back a successor for his seat, Tillis didn't answer. 'Dependent upon whether or not President Trump endorses somebody it could be an open primary,' he told reporters on Capitol Hill on Sunday night.. 'He could close it out and the party could get behind it, I suspect that's what they do. I just really hope he has some discernment because obviously Mark Robinson was a bad pick.' Robinson, the scandal-ridden lieutenant governor, lost last year's gubernatorial race to Democrat Josh Stein even as Donald Trump beat Kamala Harris in the presidential race. Lara Trump, a North Carolina native who graduated from N.C. State University, currently anchors a weekend show on Fox News. During the 2024 election, she served as co-chair of Republican National Committee. In that contest, President Trump backed Whatley to be chairman with Lara Trump as his deputy. The duo served together through the election. She was previously floated as a potential Senate candidate when former Republican Sen. Richard Burr retired. She opted not to launch a campaign for the seat. Eric and Lara currently live in Florida. Lara was touted as a candidate to replace Marco Rubio in the Senate when he was confirmed as secretary of state but, again, she opted to stay out of politics. She said she worries about moving her family to Washington D.C., pointing to advice she received from her brother-in-law and sister-in-law, Jared Kushner and Ivanka Trump, who both worked in the first Trump Administration. 'It was tough on them personally, but it was really tough on their family,' she told Time magazine in February. 'Even if I decided to move my whole family, dogs and all, up to Washington, D.C., I still think that it probably would have been a big challenge for my kids and for us as a whole.' Republican Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina announced his retirement after criticism from President Donald Trump - above the two men in happier times during a campaign rally in Charlotte, N.C., in March 2020 Eric Trump, speaking to the Financial Times a few weeks ago, expressed the same concerns about his children and a political life. 'The real question is: 'Do you want to drag other members of your family into it?'' Eric Trump said when asked about running for public office. Their son Luke is seven and daughter Caroline is five. 'Would I want my kids to live the same experience over the last decade that I've lived? 'If the answer was yes, I think the political path would be an easy one, meaning, I think I could do it,' he said. 'And by the way, I think other members of our family could do it too.' Tillis announced his retirement on Sunday after Trump whacked him over his opposition to the president's 'big, beautiful' budget bill currently making its way through the Senate. Tillis was one of two Republican senators who voted against the 'motion to proceed' on Trump's budget bill Saturday evening, along with Kentucky Republican Rand Paul. In a post made to his social media site Truth Social Sunday morning, President Trump came after Tillis, claiming that he 'hurt the great people of North Carolina' and calling him a 'talker and complainer.' 'Thom Tillis has hurt the great people of North Carolina. Even on the catastrophic flooding, nothing was done to help until I took office. Then a Miracle took place! Tillis is a talker and complainer, Not A Doer! He's even worse than Rand 'Fauci' Paul,' Trump wrote on Sunday morning.
