The North Carolina House of Representatives on Wednesday, June 24, struck down four of the five pending vetoes from Governor Josh Stein.
Three of the initiatives—SB 153, SB 227, and SB 558—had already passed the Senate override vote and were thus enacted into law following the House of Representatives' decision. Meanwhile, HB 171 was sent to the State Senate, where it will continue its legislative process.
The measures, among other provisions, include new rules requiring closer coordination between state agencies and federal immigration authorities, as well as a ban on diversity, equity, and inclusion programs in public and higher education.
“State agents are being forced to act as immigration agents”
Governor Josh Stein lashed out at members of the General Assembly, accusing them of "fueling the culture wars that divide us instead of fulfilling their long-overdue responsibility to pass a budget."
“It’s time they do their jobs for the people of North Carolina. Instead, they are overriding my veto of bills that seek to erase the diversity that strengthens our state and remove state agents from their current duties, forcing them to act as federal immigration agents", he claimed.
You might be interested in: SB 153: What is known and what is still unclear about North Carolina's new immigration law
Which projects overruled the governor's veto and are now law?
SB 227 “Elimination of DEI in public education "
The proposal SB 227 search to prohibit “discriminatory practices and divisive concepts” in public schools of North Carolina.
It also prevents the existence of offices or units dedicated to diversity, equity, and inclusion in the education system.
“Eliminate DEI in universities”
The bill SB 558 seeks to ensure that UNC campuses cannot endorse or affirm a range of 'divisive concepts' and 'discriminatory practices.'
This expands DEI restrictions on university campuses.
DEI stands for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (in English, Diversity, Equity, and InclusionIt is an organizational approach that seeks to create environments in which people of different backgrounds, identities, experiences and abilities have the same opportunities to participate, develop and contribute.
Related: Bills passed to eliminate DEI in education and state agencies
SB 153 “North Carolina Border Protection Act”
The bill SB 153 would require four agencies to sign agreements 287 (gThese are: the Department of Public Safety, the Highway Patrol, the Department of Corrections and the Bureau of Investigation.
In addition, the proposal seeks to audit public programs to ensure restrictions on undocumented immigrants. It also limits the autonomy of state universities and local governments on immigration issues and strengthens the ban on sanctuary policies, eliminating local government immunity.
Related: It's the law: Four state agencies must sign 287(g) agreements with ICE in North Carolina
Now it's the Senate's turn.
HB 171 Equality in State Agencies/Prohibition on DEI, which stipulates that no state agency may “promote, support, finance, implement or maintain programs, policies or DEI initiatives in the workplace”, was referred to the Senate Rules and Operations Committee.
Waiting, for now without the necessary votes
The last veto by the governor that remains on the House of Representatives' agenda corresponds to bill SB 50 “Freedom to Carry NC".
The measure would reduce the minimum age from 21 to 18 years for carrying a concealed weapon in North Carolina and would eliminate the current training and background check requirements for obtaining a concealed carry permit.
However, dissent from some Republican legislators has so far prevented the proposal from gathering the necessary votes to override the governor's veto.
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After the storm
A year ago, Hurricane Helene struck western North Carolina. The Latino community responded with something stronger than the storm: solidarity.
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