Latest news with #SenateBill227
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) on Thursday vetoed three bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the state government, as well as a measure that takes aim at transgender rights. With the anti-DEI bills — Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 558 and House Bill 171 — the GOP-led state legislature sought to eliminate what it called 'discriminatory practices' in public education with threats to cut funding and to prevent local and state government agencies from promoting or maintaining DEI programs or policies. Stein, in his veto messages, said the bills were 'riddled with vague definitions.' 'Our diversity is our strength. We should not whitewash history, ban books, or treat our teachers with distrust and disdain,' he wrote in one veto. 'Rather than fearing differing viewpoints and cracking down on free speech, we should ensure our students can learn from diverse perspectives and form their own opinions.' In another, the first-term governor suggested the legislation would 'make it harder' for the state to provide high quality services to its residents. 'My administration is focused on building the strongest team possible by hiring and supporting the best employees. We cannot recruit and retain them without creating a welcoming work environment,' Stein wrote. 'We make our most effective decisions when there is a diverse set of perspectives around the table.' The fourth bill, House Bill 805, included a provision to prevent state-funded gender affirming surgeries or hormone therapy for prisoners. It also includes language recognizing only two genders and would require the state to keep a transgender person's original birth certificate attached to any updated one. The effort follows similar moves in conservative states and at the federal level. President Trump, upon his return to office, issued several executive orders that targeted federal DEI programs and diversity initiatives in public education as well as sweeping actions against transgender athletes and service members — though his moves have faced legal action. The bills now head back to the North Carolina General Assembly, where Republicans need support from 60 percent of both chambers to override Stein's veto. The state House is one seat short of a veto-proof majority, and no Democrats voted for the anti-DEI bills, The Associated Press reported. State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) vowed to continue fighting for the legislation in a post online, suggesting the governor 'chose to bow down to a radical ideology that harms women.' 'He's choosing to ignore the clear will of the people who are tired of politically correct nonsense,' Berger wrote on social platform X. 'I'm prepared to lead the Senate in overriding Gov. Stein's vetoes and stand up for the North Carolinians he claims to represent.' State House Speaker Destin Hall (R) echoed the remarks, claiming he 'vetoed this bill and sided with radical activists over the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians.' 'We will keep fighting,' he posted on X. The Associated Press contributed. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Hill
04-07-2025
- Politics
- The Hill
NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) on Thursday vetoed three bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the state government, as well as a measure that takes aim at transgender rights. With the anti-DEI bills — Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 558 and House Bill 171 — the GOP-led state legislature sought to eliminate what it called 'discriminatory practices' in public education with threats to cut funding and to prevent local and state government agencies from promoting or maintaining DEI programs or policies. Stein, in his veto messages, said the bills were 'riddled with vague definitions.' 'Our diversity is our strength. We should not whitewash history, ban books, or treat our teachers with distrust and disdain,' he wrote in one veto. 'Rather than fearing differing viewpoints and cracking down on free speech, we should ensure our students can learn from diverse perspectives and form their own opinions.' In another, the first-term governor suggested the legislation would 'make it harder' for the state to provide high quality services to its residents. 'My administration is focused on building the strongest team possible by hiring and supporting the best employees. We cannot recruit and retain them without creating a welcoming work environment,' Stein wrote. 'We make our most effective decisions when there is a diverse set of perspectives around the table.' The fourth bill, House Bill 805, included a provision to prevent state-funded gender affirming surgeries or hormone therapy for prisoners. It also includes language recognizing only two genders and would require the state to keep a transgender person's original birth certificate attached to any updated one. The effort follows similar moves in conservative states and at the federal level. President Trump, upon his return to office, issued several executive orders that targeted federal DEI programs and diversity initiatives in public education as well as sweeping actions against transgender athletes and service members — though his moves have faced legal action. The bills now head back to the North Carolina General Assembly, where Republicans need support from 60 percent of both chambers to override Stein's veto. The state House is one seat short of a veto-proof majority, and no Democrats voted for the anti-DEI bills, The Associated Press reported. State Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger (R) vowed to continue fighting for the legislation in a post online, suggesting the governor 'chose to bow down to a radical ideology that harms women.' 'He's choosing to ignore the clear will of the people who are tired of politically correct nonsense,' Berger wrote on social platform X. 'I'm prepared to lead the Senate in overriding Gov. Stein's vetoes and stand up for the North Carolinians he claims to represent.' State House Speaker Destin Hall (R) echoed the remarks, claiming he 'vetoed this bill and sided with radical activists over the overwhelming majority of North Carolinians.' 'We will keep fighting,' he posted on X. The Associated Press contributed.
Yahoo
16-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Senator Overcash, you know me. Why are you erasing me?
Image: iStock/Getty Images Dear Senator Overcash: I shouldn't need to re-introduce myself to you, but I'm Paige Sullivan. I'm a native and lifelong resident of North Carolina. I'm also transgender and a former classmate of yours. We shared the same public school hallways for twelve years. We had many of the same teachers, though never in the same classroom at the same time. I write to you today, standing up not only for myself, but thousands of transgender, gender non-conforming, non-binary, intersex North Carolinians, and families with transgender children. Since we already know each other, let's keep this casual. Brad, what are you doing? I was shocked when I saw your name on this bill. You were always a go-getter in school, but I never thought you'd put your name on a bathroom bill like Senate Bill 516. Have you considered the implications of the bills you have sponsored? Can you all please explain to us how a person with a beard and a deep voice, who's been on testosterone, belongs in the women's room? What protections would you offer a transgender woman who is forced to use the men's room? What will happen when someone needs to take their child or aging relative to the restroom and of a different gender? There are many other scenarios to consider, and this bill will hurt many people. Secondly, why is there a restriction on changing our birth certificates and driver's licenses? Is that a personal dig at me, perchance? It's no one's business, especially the government's, of what's between our legs. On top of that, you have no idea how the transition process works. For me, it has taken the better part of twenty years. I've had psychological evaluations, relating directly to my gender identity, by doctors over a few years. I've been on estradiol injections for twelve years. I've had five surgeries. You don't just walk into a clinic and have reassignment surgery. Okay, let's move on to Senate Bill 227. By banning DEI programs, you're not eliminating bias but codifying it. Students deserve to learn the full scope of American history, including the lives of Black, Indigenous, LGBTQ+, and immigrant communities. Silencing these narratives doesn't protect kids—it denies them the tools to understand the world they're growing up in. We went to overwhelmingly 'white' schools, but you had at least three racial minorities in your graduating class. Maybe you should ask them what they think of this bill. Explain to them that because they are a racial minority, other kids shouldn't learn about their history or struggles for freedom and equal rights. What's the real reason? Brad, I know you are better than this. Stand on the right side of history. Don't let party politics close your eyes to the harm these bills will cause. Think of your Christian beliefs. Would Jesus stand for this? I invite you to read Matthew 25:34-35, Luke 14:13, and the many teachings that call us toward justice and mercy. I'm not asking you to change overnight. I'm asking you to listen, to remember who I am, and to lead with compassion. We were taught in civics class that we are equal—did you forget that? Would you like me to contact some of our former teachers to provide a refresher course on the foundational documents of our country and state? I know one who would do it in a heartbeat for you. Brad, you and I learned the same lessons about fairness, equality, and civic responsibility. I'm not asking for a debate. I'm asking for humanity. You may not accept my meeting request, but I hope you'll receive this: Laws like SB 516 and SB 227 harm real people. And now, you still have the chance to choose compassion over cruelty.
Yahoo
11-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signs 55 bills into law on Thursday
LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – Arkansas Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders signed 55 bills into law on Thursday. Bills included those covering the Freedom of Information Act, nuclear energy and religious protection. Four takeaways from the 12th week of the 95th General Assembly FOIA Senate Bill 227, now Act 505, amends the Arkansas Freedom of Information Act to accommodate modern requirements, such as meetings using video calls. The bill received broad support in both chambers. NUCLEAR House Concurrent Resolution 1009 was signed into law, allowing the state to apply for federal funding for the next phase of a nuclear power study. The study is to determine if spent nuclear fuel rods can be reused for power or recycled. RELIGIOUS PROTECTION , provides that people cannot be discriminated against in adoption and foster care because of their religious beliefs. As the law goes into effect, no agency can compel a faith-based adoption or foster care group to act in a way that would violate their religious beliefs. Other bills signed into law also included a number providing funding for various state agencies. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee sworn in as ambassador to Israel With this latest round of signatures, the governor has signed 552 bills into law since the start of the 95th General Assembly. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
FOIA bill heads to Arkansas governor's desk
Sen. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, questions a bill that would abolish the State Library Board and the Educational Television Commission. Photographed Feb. 13, 2025. (Mary Hennigan/Arkansas Advocate) A bill that clarifies aspects of Arkansas' public meetings law is heading to the governor's desk after it again passed the Senate by a wide margin on Monday. The bill specifies what members of city councils, quorum courts or school boards could discuss outside of a public meeting and would also allow a court to nullify any decisions made by a public body if it was in violation of open meetings laws. Senate Bill 227, sponsored by Sen. Clarke Tucker, D-Little Rock, had already passed the Senate once, but the addition of co-sponsors when it was being considered in the House required another vote by the upper chamber. Senators voted 34-1 in favor of passage; more senators voted yes in the second vote, including Sen. Alan Clark, who voted against Tucker's bill when it first passed the Senate last month. Clark introduced his own amendments to the state's Freedom of Information Act that would have defined a public meeting as 'more than two' members of a public body – a change from the current status quo. That bill, Senate Bill 376, has been waiting to be heard in the House State Agencies and Governmental Affairs committee, and Clark voted against Tucker's bill the first time it went before the chamber. Only Sen. John Payton, R-Wilburn, voted no during Monday's vote. The current FOIA does not define the number of people needed for a meeting to qualify as public, but has generally been interpreted to mean a meeting where at least two members of a governing body get together. Tucker's bill, if signed into law, would make that more explicit. Tucker's bill has support from FOIA advocates around the state. The president of the Arkansas Press Association, Andrew Bagley, called Tucker's bill 'a very good piece of legislation' during a committee meeting March 12. The Arkansas Freedom of Information Act gives Arkansans broad access to public records, such as emails sent between state officials and documents used in the course of government action. The law also establishes access to public meetings by members of the public, although the vague language governing this access has led to multiple instances of litigation as local governments ran afoul of the sunshine provisions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
