New Law Strips Authority from NC Governor-Elect Josh Stein

Raleigh -- December 12, 2024: In a significant legislative maneuver, the Republican-controlled North Carolina General

Assembly has enacted a law that significantly curtails the powers of Governor-elect Josh Stein and other Democratic officials set to assume office in 2024. The controversial legislation was passed by overriding a veto from outgoing Democratic Governor Roy Cooper, signaling heightened partisan tensions in the state.

Key Provisions of the Law

The new law implements sweeping changes that shift substantial authority from the governor to the state auditor, a position soon to be held by a Republican. Some of the most notable provisions include:

Election Oversight:

The authority to appoint members of the State Board of Elections has been transferred from the governor to the state auditor. This move effectively grants Republicans control over the election boards, a development with potentially significant implications for future elections in North Carolina.
Judicial Appointments: The governor’s ability to fill judicial vacancies has been restricted, limiting the influence of the executive branch over the state’s judiciary.
Legal Challenges: The law bars the attorney general, another Democratic officeholder, from challenging laws enacted by the legislature. This provision reduces the state’s capacity to contest legislative actions that may be deemed unconstitutional or otherwise problematic.

Political and Historical Context

This legislative effort echoes a similar strategy employed by Republicans eight years ago, when they moved to limit the powers of incoming Democratic Governor Roy Cooper before his term began. Such measures highlight the increasingly polarized political environment in North Carolina, where control of the state government is deeply contested.

The recent law has sparked widespread criticism from Democratic leaders and voting rights advocates, who view it as an overt attempt to undermine the will of the electorate. Governor-elect Stein, a Democrat and former state attorney general, campaigned on a platform emphasizing progressive policies and protecting democratic institutions. His ability to deliver on those promises now faces significant obstacles.

Expected Challenges

Legal experts anticipate that the new law will face challenges in court. Opponents argue that the legislation undermines the separation of powers and the democratic principle of checks and balances. They also contend that transferring control over election boards to a partisan office could erode public trust in the state’s electoral process.

Implications for North Carolina

The passage of this law underscores the high stakes of state-level governance and the broader struggle for political dominance in a battleground state. With Governor-elect Stein’s powers curtailed, the Republican legislature will wield greater control over critical aspects of state administration, including elections and judicial appointments.

As North Carolina prepares for the transition to a new administration, the impact of this legislation will be closely watched. The outcome of any legal challenges and the broader public response will play a pivotal role in shaping the state’s political landscape in the years to come.

WNCTimes

Image: Josh Stein Social Media FB Post