Despite Large Protest North Carolina GOP House Passes Bill Greatly Restricting New Democratic Governor’s Power

28 Total Bills Republicans Are Attempting to Pass Because New Governor Is a Democrat

North Carolina House Republican leaders cleared the gallery in the state house after activists protested several bills lawmakers filed  less than 24 hours ago. Just before 7:00 PM EST House Republicans, who have a majority, passed one of many bills they have proposed, most of which are focused on stripping Democratic Governor-elect Roy Cooper of as much power as they can through legislative means.

Police arrested reportedly 16 protestors including a local city councilwoman and a local reporter.

HB17, which now heads to the Senate where it is expected to pass, cuts the governor’s ability to hire or appoint staff from 1500 positions to 300 positions. It also strips the governor of the right to make appointments to state university boards, and “radically reorganizes governance of North Carolina’s public schools,” NC Policy Watch’s Progressive Pulse reports. 

“In nearly every way possible, the bill strips power from the State Board of Education to provide more authority to the newly-elected Republican Superintendent-elect of Public Schools, Mark Johnson,” Progressive Pulse adds.

It is not known if outgoing Republican Governor Pat McCrory will sign the bill, or others aimed at stripping Cooper of power, or veot them. If he does take the high road and vetoes them, Republicans have a sufficient majority and could override the veto.

Some have suggested the entire session may be “illegal,” after Republican leadership kicked out protestors and locked the doors to the proceedings, one of several possible violations of the state’s open meeting’s law. 

WATCH: Live Now: North Carolina House Debates GOP Bills Stripping New Democratic Governor of Powers

 

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