Governor Stein takes action on 10 bills

RALEIGH, N.C. (QUEEN CITY NEWS) — Governor Josh Stein has signed seven bills and vetoed three bills.

Governor Stein made the following statement on his veto of Senate Bill 266:  

This summer’s record heat and soaring utility bills has shown that we need to focus on lowering electricity costs for working families — not raising them. And as our state continues to grow, we need to diversify our energy portfolio so that we are not overly reliant on natural gas and its volatile fuel markets. Recent independent analysis of Senate Bill 266 shows that this bill could cost North Carolina ratepayers up to $23 billion through 2050 due to higher fuel costs. This bill not only makes everyone’s utility bills more expensive, but it also shifts the cost of electricity from large industrial users onto the backs of regular people — families will pay more so that industry pays less. Additionally, this bill walks back our state’s commitment to reduce carbon emissions, sending the wrong signal to businesses that want to be a part of our clean energy economy. My job is to do everything in my power to lower costs and grow the economy. This bill fails that test.  

Governor Stein made the following statement on his veto of House Bill 549:  

House Bill 549 would grant the Auditor sweeping access to the data and records of any private corporation that accepts any amount of state funding. Giving the Auditor this intrusive power may undermine our state’s efforts to recruit businesses to North Carolina. Additionally, the bill would remove the Office of State Auditor from the state’s cybersecurity efforts led by the Department of Information Technology, putting North Carolinians’ personal identifying information at heightened risk of a breach.

Governor Stein made the following statement on his veto of Senate Bill 254:  

Senate Bill 254 is an unconstitutional infringement on the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Additionally, it weakens accountability of charter schools when every North Carolina student deserves excellent public schools, whether traditional or charter.      

Governor Stein also signed the following bills into law: 

• House Bill 620
• House Bill 928
• House Bill 768
• Senate Bill 472
• Senate Bill 710
• Senate Bill 690
• Senate Bill 387