Reives Report | Power Grab Becomes Law

Updates from December in the North Carolina General Assembly.

Dec 13, 2024

Correction: An earlier version of this newsletter incorrectly said that the State Board of Education would be moved under the State Auditor. The State Board of Elections is moving under the State Auditor.

Hello,

Since the last update, Leader Reives was re-elected by his peers to continue serving as House Democratic Leader for the 2025-26 Legislative Session. You can read the announcement here.

S382, Power Grab Legislation, Becomes Law

This week the House of Representatives overrode Governor Cooper’s veto of SB382. The bill was written in secret and quickly rolled out the week before Thanksgiving. The bill was framed as a third Hurricane Helene recovery effort, but the vast majority of the legislation focused on shifting powers away from incoming Democratic Council of State members, including the Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Attorney General and Superintendent of Public Instruction.

Leader Reives talks to press after the S382 override vote.

Some of the key components of the legislation include:

Moving the State Board of Elections to the Office of the State Auditor, including appointment power which currently belongs to the Governor.
Empowering the State Auditor to appoint chairs to county boards of elections, also currently a power of the Governor.
Diluting the power of the incoming Attorney General to join lawsuits from out of state or to take positions contrary to those of the General Assembly.
Blocking the State Superintendent from appealing decisions of the Charter Schools Review Board.

Every Democrat present voted against the veto override. Originally, three House Republicans from Western North Carolina joined Democrats in opposing the bill. The three reverted back to their party during the veto override, with a final vote of 72-46. The Speaker limited debate to just a few members from both parties.

Opponents of the bill, apart from the objections over the power grab and the politicization of a relief bill, pointed to the need for Western North Carolina to receive an immediate injection of money. Small businesses are at risk of closing permanently, and many would benefit from grants instead of loans. Many of the power-shifting components of the law will likely face lawsuits regarding their constitutionality.

Watch Leader Reives talk to press after the vote:

EdNC: General Assembly overrides veto of bill removing power from incoming Democratic officials

Axios: North Carolina GOP looks to weaken governor's power again

WRAL: Amid protests, GOP lawmakers vote to strip power from incoming governor, other Democrats

WUNC: Republican NC lawmakers vote to strip power from newly elected Democrats, including governor

North Carolina Supreme Court Race Still Mired in Lawsuits

More than a month after Election Day, the outcome in the North Carolina Supreme Court race is still mired in lawsuits. Yesterday, the North Carolina State Board of Elections rejected the GOP candidate Jefferson Griffin’s request for 60,000 votes to be thrown out. They can now appeal the decision to the state courts, if they choose.

Griffin held a small lead after election night, but as all votes were counted the margin dwindled until the incumbent, Justice Allison Riggs, pulled ahead. Two recounts have affirmed her victory. Last Friday, the North Carolina Democratic Party filed a federal lawsuit, claiming the effort to toss 60,000 ballots was unconstitutional.

Currently, Republicans hold a majority on the North Carolina Supreme Court. Justice Riggs’ victory would maintain the status quo, with five Republicans and two Democrats.

WRAL: Democrats demand GOP end 'sinister' effort to toss 60,000 ballots, with court race at stake

Carolina Public Press: Still no answer in multiple NC races as election protests, recounts prolong process

NC Newsline: The NC Democratic Party sues to prevent the state elections board from throwing out votes

Western North Carolina Still Selling Christmas Trees

Despite the devastation of Hurricane Helene earlier this year, Western North Carolina Christmas trees are still a prominent part of the region’s economy. Last month, a Fraser fir grown in the Blue Ridge Mountains was delivered to the White House. North Carolina is ranked second nationally in terms of the number of trees harvested. More than 1 in 5 Christmas trees in the United States are grown here.

North Carolina Agriculture Commissioner Steve Troxler, along with the North Carolina Christmas Tree Association, are encouraging people to support farmers in North Carolina by purchasing a real tree, especially North Carolina Fraser firs.

According to Christmas tree marketing and production specialist Will Kohlway at NC State, Helene did not have a significant impact on this year’s supply of Christmas trees. Alleghany, Ashe and Avery Counties are the top producers in the state. Experts from the North Carolina Forestry and Environmental Resources team will work with state and local partners to ensure the industry continues to thrive during the storm recovery process and beyond.

NCSU: NC Christmas Tree Industry is Open for Business Amid Hurricane Helene Recovery

PBS: How Helene Affected NC’s Christmas Tree Farms

WGHP: North Carolina-grown Christmas trees carry extra meaning this holiday season

FarmProgress: ‘Tremendous’ Christmas tree goes from N.C. to White House

Energy Funds For All

Funding from the federal government will soon be available for consumers in North Carolina. Energy Funds For All is a comprehensive resource guide that provides clear access to federal climate funds for homeowners, renters, municipalities, and more in North Carolina and South Carolina.

The website allows North Carolinians to go through the various programs that were signed into law by President Biden. The Inflation Reduction Act is widely regarded as the largest climate funding bill in American history. The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act provides funding for roads, broadband access and higher-paying jobs.

Constituents can navigate to the website to find which programs they might qualify for. Staff at the North Carolina League of Conservation Voters are willing to help answer questions about the process.

Upcoming Opportunities at the NCGA

Page applications for 2025 will soon be available on the General Assembly website. Applications can be submitted starting Monday, January 6th. More information is available here.

The Youth Legislative Assembly is also accepting applications, with a deadline of January 13. You can find more information about this program here.

Session Adjourns Sine Die

Today, the North Carolina General Assembly adjourned for the rest of the year. This marks the end of the 2023-24 Legislative Session. We will be back in early January for the official start of Session where we will be joined by our newly-elected colleagues to begin the 2025-26 Long Session.