NC Gov. Cooper vetoes bill that would have opened gyms, bars
Gov. Roy Cooper on Friday vetoed a bill that would have reopened gyms and bars, which he had ordered closed to help prevent the spread of the coronavirus.
House Bill 594 is the second reopening bill from the Republican-controlled legislature that Cooper, a Democrat, has vetoed. The first would have reopened bars for outdoor seating and increased restaurant capacity, but did not include gyms. The latest would have allowed both bars and gyms to reopen at reduced capacity.
The legislature has sent a third bill to Cooper that would open bowling alleys and skating rinks, as well as food service at minor-league baseball parks. He has not announced a decision on that bill.
Cooper has said he will announce next week what will come next in the state’s phased reopening plan, and if the next phase will start June 26 as he’s said previously.
Republican lawmakers say it’s safe for more businesses to reopen with the proper precautions. The vetoed bill would have limited bars to outdoor seating at 50% of capacity, and allowed a restaurant to seat 50% of capacity outside in addition to the 50% already allowed, The News & Observer previously reported.
It would have limited gyms, yoga studios and other fitness centers to 50% capacity and required them to check employees’ temperatures, the N&O reported. Requirements would have been set for masks, social distancing, disinfectant and special check-in procedures.
Under the bill, Cooper could have closed the businesses again if the state saw a spike in coronavirus cases, but only with the support of the majority-Republican Council of State.
“Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising,” Cooper said in a statement about his veto. “State and local officials must be able to take swift action during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge of patients from overwhelming hospitals and endangering the lives of North Carolinians. The bill could restrict leaders who need to respond quickly to outbreaks and protect public health and safety.”
Legislative leaders quickly criticized the veto. They did not say if they would try to override his veto, which would require three-fifths majorities in the House and Senate.
“Once again, the Governor shows that he prioritizes his own power over the livelihoods of responsible small businesses owners and families across North Carolina,” House Speaker Tim Moore said in a statement.
Sen. Rick Gunn, an Alamance County Republican, noted in his own statement that the veto came the day bar owners were in court in their lawsuit seeking to reopen.
”On the same day attorneys argued in court that Gov. Cooper’s different treatment of bars and restaurants is inexplicable, Gov. Cooper vetoed this economic lifeline for thousands of businesses across North Carolina,” Gunn said. “Our state is one of only four that has not reopened gyms and fitness centers.
“Why did he walk with protesters without a mask on, but prohibits everyday citizens from using an elliptical machine at a gym? Why is it safe to have a drink outside at a restaurant, but it’s dangerous to have a drink outside at a bar? Gov. Cooper needs to release the science behind these apparent contradictions.”
DMV road test waiver
Cooper also announced Friday that he had signed 11 bills into law, including legislation sought by some parents and teenage drivers.
Under House Bill 158, the state Division of Motor Vehicles will temporarily waive the road test requirement for getting a Level 2 limited provisional license and make other accommodations for teens unable to complete driver’s education requirements due to COVID-19 closing schools and DMV offices.
This story was originally published June 19, 2020 at 4:37 PM.
