Two NC senators: Our legislature is shifting toward authoritarian rule | Opinion
Authoritarianism. Not a word we usually associate with the United States. Since our founding we have grounded ourselves in a system of checks and balances, transparent government and fair elections as the ultimate tool of accountability.
But it is becoming increasingly clear that Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly are putting their own thirst for power ahead of American ideals.
Political thinker and author Ece Temelkuran describes seven steps that can gradually take a state from democracy to authoritarianism. This legislative session moved us six steps down that path.
Weakening checks and balances
This year’s state budget allows the General Assembly to appoint 10 new “Special Superior Court judges” — the only non-elected judges in North Carolina. Another provision means these judges can form the panels that hear all constitutional challenges to laws passed by the legislature.
In Senate Bill 512, the General Assembly seized power from executive branch functions. Policies on everything from transportation to environmental protection will now be determined by appointees who take marching orders from the legislature. Most of these provisions have already been found to be unconstitutional, but with the courts now in Republican control and with their new special judges, they’re trying this brazen power grab again.
Politicizing independent institutions
Perhaps the most threatening example of our shift towards authoritarian rule is the shift of the legislature’s non-partisan Program Evaluation Division to the overtly partisan Joint Legislative Commission on Government Operations or “Gov Ops,” which now has jaw-dropping powers.
Gov Ops partisan staff have the power for the warrantless search and seizure of all paper and electronic records of any person with even the most tenuous connection to the State. Shockingly, subjects of Gov Ops inquiries are prohibited from telling anyone — even their boss or attorney — under risk of fines and jail time.
Legislative leaders also seized significant control of the commission that oversees judicial ethics. These appointments were previously made by the bipartisan N.C. State Bar. Now, any complaint about a biased judiciary will be sent to a biased oversight commission.
Corrupting elections
A new law limits absentee voting and empowers partisan poll observers to watch, photograph and potentially interfere with the voting process. A second law overhauls state and local elections boards by taking appointments from the governor and giving them to the legislature. Voters rejected a similar partisan power grab by a 61% majority in 2018.
Spreading Disinformation
For decades public records in North Carolina have been “the property of the people.” Now, no legislative records will be public unless legislators voluntarily decide to release them. The new law also gives legislators authority to destroy or sell their records. Sell? Is there a more effective way to enable misinformation than allowing a politician to sell records to anyone willing to cover up misdeeds?
Quashing criticism and dissent
A new “anti-rioting” law makes it easier to prosecute protesters. During debate every Republican example cited Black Lives Matter protests as driving the need for this law, while never once addressing examples of white nationalists openly carrying assault weapons in our streets.
Marginalizing vulnerable communities
Rather than protecting vulnerable people, this legislative session has been characterized by vitriol and hate. The onslaught against LGBTQ+ families has shocked us to our core. We now have children throughout the state completely bereft of the support and healthcare they need to thrive. And, let’s not forget the horror this legislative majority inflicted on women with its 12-week abortion ban.
North Carolina remains highly politically divided. But what unites most of us is the American ideal of a government that is transparent and democratic, that guarantees our freedom and puts guardrails on the accumulation of power.
Authoritarianism slowly silences voices. We must speak up before darkness descends.
Senator Graig Meyer represents Orange, Person and Caswell Counties. Sen. Julie Mayfield represents Buncombe County.
