Gov. Perdue has added 4 new vetoes to her list, making her total 15 for this session so far.
Perdue began the day by vetoing SB 532, “ESC/Job Reforms,” which would have moved the Employment Security Commission under the Department of Commerce in addition to several changes to state laws on unemployment benefits. Perdue claimed the legislation would have violated federal labor laws and result in state employers losing a tax credit. Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenberg) responded by stating that Perdue originally agreed with the concept behind SB 532 and that her veto statement was “fake and plastic.”
For the next 3 vetoes, Gov. Perdue claimed all three bills violated the NC Constitution, two by taking away power from agencies and S709 because of separation of powers.
SB 709, “the Energy Jobs Act,” would have looked for ways to increase energy production in NC by expanding energy exploration and energy-related industries. A fracking study was also included in the bill. Perdue vetoed claiming it violated the separation of powers clause by forcing the governor to act.
S781, “the Regulatory Reform Act of 2011,” would have ended state agencies’ ability to enact environmental regulations without a state or federal law mandating the rule’s creation. It also created new steps in the regulatory process to increase transparency.
Finally, S496, Medicaid and Health Choice Provider Req,” was a somewhat more surprising veto. Perdue stated she supported many aspects of the legislation but vetoed it because it stripped DHHS of its final decision-making authority, supposedly violating the state constitution and federal Medicaid law.
However, Perdue has stated she will allow the annexation reform bill (HB845) and the tax credits for special needs children (HB344) become law without her signature. In addition, HB619, HB289 (allows pro-life plates), and HB22 were shortly signed into law by the governor after her four vetoes of the day.
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