Cooper Vetoes Mask and Campaign Finance Bill
Democrat Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill on Friday that he says would keep voters in the dark and allow anonymous out-of-state billionaires to flood North Carolina with campaign money for "extreme right-wing candidates."
What's in the Bill?
H.B. 237, Various Criminal and Election Law Changes, aims to:
- Ban wearing face masks in public to hide a criminal's identity.
- Adjust campaign finance laws in North Carolina.
Bill's Journey
On June 11, House Democrats delayed a vote for almost an hour in opposition to the legislation that cracks down on public masking. However, House Republicans passed the bill later that day, gaining approval from both the North Carolina General Assembly.
The votes were as follows:
- House: 69-43 along party lines.
- Senate: Passed earlier in the week.
Cooper's Concerns
Cooper described the bill as creating a loophole for secret, unlimited campaign money during an election year. He argued that this would let anonymous out-of-state billionaires influence North Carolina elections to support extreme right-wing candidates. Additionally, the governor criticized the bill for removing protections for individuals who wish to wear masks for health reasons.
Republican Response
Rep. Grey Mills, R-Iredell, claimed that the bill does not open the door to "dark money" as critics suggest. According to Jim Stirling of the Civitas Center for Public Integrity at the John Locke Foundation, the bill aims to level the playing field between national political parties, counteracting the fundraising advantage Democrats enjoyed in recent years.
In reaction to the veto, Sen. Danny Britt, R-Robeson, stated that people have been using masks to hide their identity while committing crimes and intimidating others. He stated he looks forward to overriding the veto, allowing individuals with genuine health concerns to wear masks.
Key Provisions of the Bill
Masking in Public:
- Individuals can wear medical or surgical masks to prevent the spread of disease.
- Enhanced penalties if someone is convicted of a crime while wearing a mask to hide their identity.
- Protesters blocking highways will face Class 2 misdemeanor charges.
Campaign Finance:
- Adjustments to how federal campaign and national political party committees (527 committees) operate in North Carolina.
- No change to the amount of money candidate committees or political parties may receive.
Political Reactions
Republicans claim the bill is intended to make fundraising equal for both parties. In contrast, Democrats argue it changes the game rules in an election year, and criticize it as mixing unrelated issues (masking and campaign finance).
Currently, Republicans hold veto-proof supermajorities in both the House and Senate, which could potentially lead to the override of Cooper's veto.
Summary
Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed a bill that bans face masks in public and modifies campaign finance laws. While Republicans argue the bill ensures fairness, Democrats believe it allows secret campaign money and removes health protections. The Republicans’ majority could override the veto.
This story covers key issues affecting North Carolina’s election laws and public safety regulations, highlighting the political debate between Democrats and Republicans.
