NC Senate on track to pass budget bill that includes controversial law changes

Special provisions target executive branch powers of Democratic officials


Budget-writing season started with hopes for cooperation and a financial roadmap that would gain significant bipartisan support.

That’s all soured in the early stages of budget debates, however, with Senate Democrats questioning a Republican-written budget that’s pumped full of “special provisions” that would limit executive branch powers.

On Tuesday, Sen. Jay Chaudhuri, a Wake County Democrat, asked about several provisions. One would limit the governor’s powers to declare a state of emergency lasting more than 10 days. Another would prevent the state attorney general from agreeing to legal settlements without approval from legislative leaders — if those lawmakers are named parties. And other language removes the State Board of Elections’ power to agree to court settlements when the legislature is not in session.

Republicans objected to Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s decisions in the COVID-19 pandemic that limited and closed businesses. They passed bills last year in an attempt to reopen bars, bowling alleys, and other businesses, but were not able to overcome Cooper’s vetoes.

Read more: http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2021/06/23/nc-senate-on-track-to-pass-budget-bill-that-includes-controversial-law-changes/