Governor Stein Vetoes Three Bills That Reduce Energy Costs, Improve Government Accountability, and Increase Educational Freedom
Today, Governor Stein vetoed Senate Bill 266, the Power Bill Reduction Act; House Bill 549, Clarify Powers of State Auditor; and Senate Bill 254, Charter School Changes. The three pieces of legislation now head back to the General Assembly, where Republicans may attempt to override his veto when they return.
About the legislation Stein vetoed:
Senate Bill 266, the Power Bill Reduction Act, aimed to eliminate unrealistic carbon reduction goals and reduce other regulations, thereby paving the way for more affordable electricity generation.
Speaker Destin Hall said, “I’m disappointed in the governor’s veto of the ‘Power Bill Reduction Act,’ which would have delivered cheap, reliable energy to North Carolina, cut the red tape that is choking innovation and long-term energy solutions, and saved consumers over $12 billion dollars. Considering the strong bipartisan support in both chambers, we anticipate overriding this veto.”
In his veto message, Governor Stein said this bill sent “the wrong signal to businesses that want to be part of our clean energy economy.” However, the NC Chamber, the leading business advocacy group in North Carolina, indicated that removing the 2030 goal did not pose a threat to organizations with renewable energy goals.
House Bill 549: Clarify Powers of State Auditor expanded the scope of the State Auditor’s office to increase government transparency.
Governor Stein stated that the legislation infringed upon the rights of private companies. But State Auditor Dave Boliek countered this point, saying, “Governor Stein’s veto undercuts the important principles of accountability and transparency that taxpayers expect from their government. Further, as the governor is aware, our office already has the authority to hold those who receive tax dollars accountable. I have confidence the legislature will stand up for these principles and override the governor’s veto.”
Senate Bill 254, Charter School Changes, reduced regulation and red tape around charter school regulations, allowing these alternative schools more flexibility.
Governor Stein stated that this legislation undermines the authority of the State Board of Education and the Superintendent of Public Instruction. Stein has been a longtime ally of the teacher unions and has long opposed educational freedom.
Tim’s Take: Once again, when faced with the opportunity to enact common-sense policies to reduce power bills, increase government transparency, and promote educational freedom, Governor Stein sided with the far left against these common-sense policies. While Stein continues to position himself rhetorically as a moderate, his vetoes signal an agenda to the left of most North Carolinians.
