NC legislature sends third reopening bill to governor
The North Carolina legislature passed its latest reopening bill on Thursday night — the third to go to the governor’s desk.
SB 599 would reopen bowling alleys and skating rinks, and also allow minor-league baseball parks to reopen at 10% capacity to serve food. Sen. Paul Newton, a Cabarrus County Republican, said that while baseball teams won’t play, it could also be used for ballparks to host things like infield movies.
All are now closed under Phase Two of Gov. Roy Cooper and N.C. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. Mandy Cohen’s reopening plan. Cooper told reporters on Thursday that they would announce a comprehensive plan about lifting restrictions sometime next week. Phase Three is scheduled to start on June 26.
Cooper, a Democrat, vetoed the first reopening bill sent by the Republican-led General Assembly, which would have reopened bars for outdoor seating only and increased restaurant seating capacity. A second bill, which would reopen gyms as well as bars, is on Cooper’s desk to sign or veto along with the bill passed Thursday.
Two more bills — which would permit Fourth of July fireworks and parades as well as allow amusement parks and event venues to reopen — passed the Senate on Friday and now go to the House.
During Thursday’s Senate debate, Sen. Joyce Waddell, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, noted that the next phase to ease restrictions is set to start in about a week.
“Why the rush?” she said.
Sen. Vickie Sawyer, a Mooresville Republican, said that some businesses thought they would be included in Phase Two, but were not able to reopen yet. She said that some small businesses do not trust they could reopen June 26.
“These are businesses that are losing money,” Sen. Carl Ford, a Rowan County Republican, said during the Senate debate.
“It’s time to reopen. It’s time to let these people who know what to do, operate their businesses,” Ford said.
The Senate passed the bill 35-15, with some Democrats voting along with Republicans.
It already passed the House earlier this week. Rep. John Szoka, a Fayetteville Republican, said small business owners in his home county of Cumberland are distraught and worried about going bankrupt if they don’t reopen soon.
Szoka said the bill is not meant to be an assault on Cooper’s authority, but rather a response to the economic fallout from businesses being closed because of COVID-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus.
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