Call Your NC General Assembly House Representatives to Sustain Gov. Stein’s Vetos
VETO SEASON is here! The NCGA has completed its initial work following the crossover between the NC Senate and the NC House. Big shout out to Rep. Tracy Clark and her Legislative Aide John Sloop as well a Indivisible Guilford County volunteers Claudia Lange and Belle Boggs for getting this information together. The veto overrides are scheduled for Friday, July 29. Let’s hope the NCGA can stick to a schedule and not spring any surprise votes on members. Republicans need a super majority to override a veto, which is 72 votes in the House. The current House makeup is 49D; 71R. If 1 or 2 members are absent, they need 71 to overrule a veto. If 3 are absent, they need 70 to overrule a veto. Make the calls/emails SOONER RATHER THAN LATER!
SB-96: Expediated Removal of Unauthorized Persons
Sponsors:
Tyson, Biggs, K. Hall, Howard
Description:
A widely supported anti-squatters bill with an inhumane puppy mill liability protection tacked on. Stein vetoed the bill, stating that while he generally supported its core provisions, he opposed an added amendment that decreased regulation of pet stores. The bill received bipartisan support, with 17 House Democrats joining Republicans to pass the measure.
Democrats to Target:
Democrats to target: Hard to tell since the Dems originally supported the measure before it had the unrelated amendment added to it.
Script:
This bill was originally passed with bipartisan support. However, an amendment was added that would lead to decreased oversight of inhumane puppy mills. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of SB-96!
HB-171: Eqaulity in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI
Sponsors:
B. Jones, N. Jackson, Lowery, Eddins
Description:
Targets diversity with vague definitions and hefty penalties. All Dems who were present stuck together in voting against it, but we need to make sure that they all show up to vote!
Democrats to Target:
No specific Dem but just make sure they show up for the vote.
Script:
This bill unfairly burdens our state agencies and schools with unnecessary, vaguely worded oversight of diversity, equity, and inclusion programs, which were originally created to make our agencies and schools more welcoming to all. HB-171 makes it possible for hardworking, fair-minded state employees to be targeted for disciplinary action or even firing. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of HB-171!
SB-50: Freedom to Carry NC
Sponsors:
Britt, Daniel, Settle
Description:
Enacts permitless firearm carry for 18+, no training required. It passed Senate 26–18. The House later followed suit, passing it 107-59, with no House Democrats voting in favor.
Democrats to Target:
No specific Dem but just make sure they show up for the vote.
Script:
Guns are the leading cause of death for children and teens. Therefore, allowing more unfettered, untrained access to firearms will put our children and teens at risk. All of us deserve the freedom to go about our daily activities without the constant worry about mass shootings. This bill - removing any limitations in obtaining a concealed carry permit, including required training - would put North Carolinians at risk of gun injuries and killings. This is a very dangerous bill and will make North Carolina into the wild west. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of SB-50!
SB-153: North Carolina Boarder Protection Act
Sponsors:
Berger, Daniel, B. Newton
Description:
Forces federal responsibilities onto local law enforcement. Targets immigrant communities (ie sanctuary cities). Passed Senate 26–17, and the House voted 106-46, with no House Democrats voting for it.
Democrats to Target:
No specific Dem but just make sure they show up for the vote.
Script:
These types of bills historically make communities LESS safe by discouraging immigrants, who might be here legally, from calling local law enforcement with concerns of robberies, domestic violence, or other distressing situations. This puts the lives of women and children at risk and will lead to increased violence in communities. The likely end result is that U.S. citizens will have reduced access to essential services. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of SB-153!
SB-227: Eliminating “DEI” in Public Education
Sponsors:
Berger, Leo, Overcash
Description:
Bans DEI in public schools, policing educators. All Dems who were present stuck together in voting against it, but we need to make sure that they all show up to vote!
Democrats to Target:
No specific Dem but just make sure they show up for the vote.
Script:
I’m calling because it’s very important to me and my family that you sustain Josh Stein’s vetoes of SB227, which bans vaguely defined diversity, equity, and inclusion work in public schools. This bill will drive away many of our best educators, who are already leaving the profession or the state because of low pay. I want all our public school students to learn from qualified teachers, unafraid to do their jobs, in welcoming environments. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of SB-227!
SB-254: Charter School Changes
Sponsors:
Daniel, Britt, B. Newton
Description:
Opposed by Superintendent Mo Green. This infringes on the Constitutional authority of the State Board of Education and reduces accountability of charter schools by establishing a Charter Schools Review Board. The bill passed both chambers, with nine House Democrats voting in favor.
Democrats to Target:
Rep. Deb Butler: 919-733-5754, Deb.Butler@ncleg.gov
Rep. Aisha Dew: 919-733-5778, Aisha.Dew@ncleg.gov
Rep. Zack Hawkins: 919-715-2528, Zack.Hawkins@ncleg.gov
Rep. Ray Jeffers: 919-715-0850, Ray.Jeffers@ncleg.gov
Rep. Garland Pierce: 919-733-5803, Garland.Pierce@ncleg.gov
Rep. James Roberson: 919-733-5974, James.Roberson@ncleg.gov
Rep. Charles Smith: 919-733-5601, Charles.Smith@ncleg.gov
Rep. Willingham: 919-715-3024, Shelly.Willingham@ncleg.gov
Script:
This bill would give even less oversight to Charter Schools. As explained by Governor Stein, it “is an unconstitutional infringement on the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction”. With the public schools already losing millions annually with voucher funding, this bill would leave fewer options for North Carolina children living in less populated parts of the state. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto!
SB-416: Personal Privacy Protection Act
Sponsors:
Daniel, Hise, Moffitt
Description:
Reduces transparency in political funding, more opportunity for dark money. Senate passed it, but Stein vetoed, citing unrelated amendments. GOP lawmakers argued it protects free speech. Three House Democrats voted in favor of this bill.
Democrats to Target:
Rep. Carla Cunningham: 919-733-5807, Carla.Cunningham@ncleg.gov
Rep. Shelly Willingham: 919-715-3024, Shelly.Willingham@ncleg.gov
Rep. Charles Smith: 919-733-5601, Charles.Smith@ncleg.gov
Script:
There is far too much money in politics as it. This bill would protect megadonors even further and make it more difficult to voters to see who is funding the messaging that they are receiving. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto!
SB-558: Eliminating “DEI” in Higher
Sponsors:
Berger, Overcash, Corbin
Description:
Bans DEI in colleges, policing educators. All Dems who were present stuck together in voting against it, but we need to make sure that they all show up to vote!
Democrats to Target:
No specific Dem but just make sure they show up for the vote.
Script:
SB-558 is a bill that deeply harms academic freedom, which can be understood as professors’ right to teach and do research and students’ rights to learn. It will do great damage to our wonderful UNC system of public universities and to our community colleges, making it much harder for the state to attract and retain the best professors and scholars. In that way, it will also hurt our economy, sending research and economic development to other states. Please vote to SUSTAIN Governor Stein’s veto of SB-558!