By John Q. Hosedrinker 
The North Carolina House passed a bill allocating $227 million in Hurricane Helene relief, but it also includes provisions significantly curtailing the power of incoming Democratic leaders. These unrelated provisions restrict the attorney general’s authority, alter the State Board of Elections’ composition, and eliminate several state commissions. The bill bypassed standard legislative processes, sparking criticism from Democrats who labeled it a partisan power grab. Despite some Republican dissent, the bill advanced, potentially facing a gubernatorial veto.
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The North Carolina House of Representatives recently passed a bill ostensibly designed to provide aid for Hurricane Helene’s aftermath, but embedded within its 131 pages were a series of provisions dramatically curtailing the powers of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general. This maneuver, passed late Tuesday with a 63-46 vote, is raising serious concerns about the erosion of democratic norms and the prioritization of partisan politics over disaster relief.
The bill’s passage bypassed the usual legislative processes, including the typical committee vetting and public debate. Instead, Republican leaders met in secret to finalize its details, releasing the text mere minutes before the House vote. This lack of transparency only fuels skepticism about the bill’s true intentions and the motives behind its rushed enactment.
A significant portion of the bill focuses on limiting the authority of the attorney general’s office. This includes preventing the office from taking legal stances that contradict the opinions of legislative leaders and restricting its ability to automatically advocate for consumers before state regulatory bodies, such as the commission overseeing Duke Energy and other utilities. This represents a significant shift in the balance of power, potentially jeopardizing consumer protection and limiting the attorney general’s ability to act in the public interest.
Beyond the attorney general, the bill also targets the governor’s authority over the State Board of Elections. This is a longstanding Republican goal, repeatedly blocked by voters and the courts. This effort to strip the governor of this control is a clear attempt to influence election administration and outcome, raising questions about fair and impartial elections. The bill further eliminates state commissions on energy policy and school safety, both currently led by Republicans whose positions Democrats won in recent elections. This action removes oversight and influence from elected officials, furthering the concentration of power within the Republican party.
The bill also includes a number of other unrelated provisions that seem designed to consolidate Republican power. These include creating new judicial positions appointed by the legislature rather than elected, a strategy aimed at increasing the number of Republican judges. The bill eliminates a Wake County judicial seat held by a Democrat who ruled against Republican lawmakers in past legal challenges, a move seen as retaliatory. It also transforms the State Highway Patrol into an independent agency, allowing the legislature to reject the governor’s choice for its leadership, mimicking a similar maneuver done with the State Bureau of Investigation last year. The governor’s ability to appoint a majority of the Utilities Commission members is removed as well.
Critics argue that these sweeping changes fundamentally undermine the democratic process, directly contradicting the results of recent elections where voters chose Democratic leadership. The speed and secrecy surrounding the bill’s passage further amplify concerns, suggesting a deliberate attempt to circumvent public scrutiny and democratic norms. The unusual bundling of hurricane relief with unrelated provisions also draws criticism, raising concerns about legislative priorities and transparency. The sheer number of unrelated changes aimed at shifting power away from Democrats is seen by many as a deliberate attempt to subvert the will of the voters.
The bill’s future is uncertain, as it now goes to Democratic Governor Roy Cooper who can choose to sign it, veto it, or allow it to become law without his signature. If vetoed, the legislature would need to override the veto to make the bill law, requiring a supermajority. Regardless of the governor’s decision, this bill is already igniting heated debate and highlighting the ongoing power struggle between the Republican-controlled legislature and the incoming Democratic administration. The potential consequences for the state’s governance, transparency, and democratic institutions remain to be seen. The situation emphasizes the stark partisan divisions within the state and the lengths some are willing to go to maintain or increase political control. The ensuing discussions and potential legal challenges promise to continue this debate far into the future.