‘Stoking culture wars’: Gov. Stein vetoes 4 bills, calling out GOP-led legislature

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — Governor Josh Stein (D) is making clear his stance on three DEI bills and another focused on defining “man” and “woman,” saying they do not address the pressing concerns of the people of North Carolina.

Stein said the bills are distractions by Republicans who still haven’t passed a state budget – despite holding majorities in both chambers of the General Assembly.

“At a time when teachers, law enforcement, and state employees need pay raises and people need shorter lines at the DMV, the legislature failed to pass a budget and, instead, wants to distract us by stoking culture wars that further divide us,” Stein said.

He continued to call the bills “mean-spirited” and that they would “marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education.”

The bills were vetoed Thursday as part of a batch of 12 bills; the remaining eight being signed into law. The four who received veto status from the governor were:

House Bill 805: Modifying law related to sex & gender

This bill’s lengthy title includes “an act to officially recognize two sexes in North Carolina” and “to limit the law related to birth certificates,” among six other key points from funding to school sleeping quarters.

In his veto, Gov. Stein noted the intial version of the budget included something he “strongly supports” — policy to protect people from being expolited on pornographic websites against their will. In subsequent editions of the bill, he said the General Assembly chose “to engage in divisive, job killing culture wars.”

“North Carolina has been down this road before, and it is a dead end,” he said. “My faith teaches me that we are all children of God no matter our differences and this it is wrong to target vulnerable people, as this legislation does.”

House Bill 171: Eliminating government DEI initiatives

This bill put on the governor’s desk by the GOP-dominated legislature seeks to end all diversity, equity and inclusion in state and local government. It also clarifies penalties and “ficsal control” measures.

On his decision to veto this one, Gov. Stein said “we cannot recruit and retain them [the strongest team possible] wihtout creating a welcoming work environment.” The governor also commented on the bill’s vagueness, saying it is riddled with unclear definitions yet imposes “extreme penalties for unknowable violations.”

Senate Bills 227 and 558: Eliminating DEI in public, higher education

Gov. Stein issued the same exact message with the vetoes of Senate Bills 227 and 558, saying:

“Our diversity is our strength. We should not whitewash history, police dorm room conversations, or ban books. Rather than fearing differing viewpoints and cracking down on free speech, we should ensure our students learn from diverse perspectives and form their own opinions.”

Finishing his remarks on the bills, the governor said, “I stand ready to work with the legislature when it gets serious about protecting people and addressing North Carolinians’ pressing concerns.”