Despite public anger, NC legislators override Gov. Cooper's veto of Helene bill

After public outrage and three Republican House members straying from their party in the initial vote on the third Helene relief legislation, the veto from Gov. Roy Cooper on Senate Bill 382 was ultimately overridden Wednesday.

All three Republicans who disapproved of the bill in its first go-through, Rep. Karl Gillespie, R-Cherokee, Rep. Mark Pless, R-Haywood, and Rep. Mike Clampitt, R-Jackson, voted to override the veto.

As the vote was called, gallery onlookers shouted "shame!" and "you're the enemy of democracy."

The bill moved $227 million into the Helene relief fund, but allocated less than 15% of it, and effectively reduces the power of newly-elected Democrats in top state positions.

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For example, it moves appointments to the state board of elections from the governor to the auditor and prohibits the attorney general from arguing against the opinion of the General Assembly in cases, among several other changes.

The day was filled with public outcry as protestors holding signs saying “uphold the veto" flooded the hallways of the building, some waving flashlights while singing “This Little Light of Mine” in unison.

Similar upheaval was present when the Senate overrode the governor’s veto last week with gallery visitors yelling and eventually being forced to leave.

Sam Stites, an organizer from Just Economics who is from Transylvania County, was proud of the initial “no” vote from Western North Carolina legislators. He said the bill communicated a clear message to Western North Carolinians: “Not only will we neglect you, but we will use you.”

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Others felt the bill was a blatant Republican power grab, but assured legislators the public wasn't falling for it.

“The leadership of the North Carolina General Assembly think you’re stupid,” Dawn Blagrove, Executive Director of Emancipate NC, said in a press conference before the House voted on the third Helene relief bill.

Susan Barrella (left), 69, and Pam Weppler, 71, wait with signs to enter the North Carolina House gallery.
Susan Barrella (left), 69, and Pam Weppler, 71, wait with signs to enter the North Carolina House gallery.

Supporter of the bill Rep. Destin Hall, R-Caldwell, was recently in D.C. speaking with national leaders about Helene relief, and he felt hopeful.

"We got every indication that help is on the way," Hall said about federal financial assistance.

He added that next session, where he will be the new speaker of the House, he plans to look at the Office of Recovery and Resiliency which was tasked with overseeing housing support for previous hurricanes and has been riddled with controversy.

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Debate was limited this session, but Rep. Lindsey Prather, D-Buncombe, spoke to the real struggles of Western North Carolinians who have lost jobs, businesses or had to leave the area due to the storm, saying every legislator has gotten hundreds of emails to sustain the veto.

Rep. Dudley Greene, R-Avery, who was personally affected by the storm, pushed back on the rhetoric from Democrats saying help has been there.

North Carolina Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, who disapproves of the legislature's third Helene relief bill speaking at a press conference before the House convenes for a veto override vote.
North Carolina Rep. Marcia Morey, D-Durham, who disapproves of the legislature's third Helene relief bill speaking at a press conference before the House convenes for a veto override vote.

The override comes just days after President Joe Biden approved a larger than normal federal cost share for relief efforts and House legislators gathered for their first committee meeting dedicated to Helene relief.

“Governor Roy Cooper announced that President Biden has agreed to North Carolina’s request to cover 90% of Public Assistance, Hazard Mitigation, and Other Needs Assistance,” a press release from Cooper’s office stated. “The federal government typically covers 75% of the cost. The increased federal reimbursement share decreases the financial cost to the State of North Carolina for eligible programs and projects.”

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Legal action against the bill has been hinted at by disapproving legislators, with Cooper saying part of it "violates the constitution."

This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Did the controversial third Helene relief bill pass veto override vote?