Another reopening bill passes NC legislature as Cooper plans update Wednesday
The Republican-led North Carolina General Assembly has been sending Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper bills that would reopen the state faster than his phased plan.
So far, Cooper has vetoed bills dealing with bars, outdoor seating and gyms. On Tuesday, the state legislature sent him another one.
With the state waiting to find out what restrictions could be eased on Friday when the current phase of reopening expires, Cooper said he would give an update at 3 p.m. Wednesday.
The debate on the House floor Tuesday afternoon was less about the specifics of the latest bill and more about differing views on lifting coronavirus restrictions, which fell along party lines. At times it grew contentious.
Rep. Darren Jackson, a Wake County Democrat and the House minority leader, asked Republicans what their plan is if they don’t like the phased plan.
“If you don’t like that plan, what is your plan? Just reopen everything and let the virus ravage?” Jackson said.
“This is a deadly virus. I don’t want to shut down businesses and go back to phase zero or Phase One,” he said.
Jackson held up his mask, which features the North Carolina flag. He said that while there is a city of Raleigh mandate to wear masks, some lawmakers in the legislature still don’t wear them. He said wearing a mask is one of the things they can do to hasten reopening.
Amusement parks in latest bill
House Bill 258, which passed the House 66-49 on Tuesday, is a reopening bill that covers amusement parks and entertainment venues.
Rep. John Torbett, a Stanley Republican, said that Carowinds is in his district and talked about how much his grandchildren enjoy it every summer.
But the debate turned tense between the parties.
Rep. Scott Brewer, a Rockingham Democrat, talked about not being able to visit his mother, 95, in a nursing home because of COVID-19 visitation restrictions. He has not seen her since March.
Brewer said this and other reopening bills had good ideas but “also some really bad parts,” such as taking away the authority of the governor and local governments. He said the more COVID-19 cases increase, the longer it is going to be until restrictions loosen in places like nursing homes.
“We’ve got to put public health first and not put politics first,” Brewer said.
House Majority Leader John Bell, a Goldsboro Republican, said all of the House members have a story related to coronavirus, but that reopening plans are “picking winners and losers across the state.”
Bell said he wants to know what the actual reopening plan is, and why there hasn’t been any communication on what exactly Cooper will share at his press conference this week announcing the next phase. Phase 3 is scheduled to start June 26, but Cooper has floated the idea of a Phase 2.5.
“Can somebody show me the plan?” Bell asked. “Show us the plan, governor, show us the plan.”
Testing, tracing and enforcement
At least two lawmakers found common ground during the debate.
Rep. Perrin Jones, a Pitt County Republican who is an anesthesiologist, said that he has cared for patients with COVID-19. Jones recommended the state ramp up all kinds of testing and contact tracing. Rep. Graig Meyer agreed.
And Meyer, a Hillsborough Democrat, asked if they could work together on a plan for more enforcement of public health rules.
“I think that would be a laudable goal,” Jones said.
Fourth of July festivals
Another bill, House Bill 686, would allow all municipalities to celebrate the Fourth of July with fireworks and parades.
Rep. Sarah Stevens, a Mount Airy Republican, said that people at parades can wear masks and use social distancing.
Jackson said that a crowd gathered to watch fireworks could become a “superspreader” event.
The Fourth of July bill passed 67-47. Both bills now go to the governor.
Council of State approval
Under another bill that emerged Tuesday in the legislature, Cooper would need to seek the blessing of the Council of State for emergency orders.
The new version of Senate Bill 105 would require the governor to contact each member of the Council of State and get a majority of them to concur with any executive order he issues under the Emergency Management Act — if it’s in effect for at least 30 days.
It could effectively allow the group of statewide elected officials, which has a narrow Republican majority, to stop the governor from taking actions such as closing businesses or enacting restrictions to combat the coronavirus.
Rep. Destin Hall, a Caldwell County Republican, said the measure is needed “so that folks can feel like it’s not just a partisan decision, that it’s a decision as being well reasoned.”
“I think that if we have this Council of State approval, we might get more buy-in from the public,” he said.
Cooper has sought Council of State concurrence on some of his executive orders, but his office has argued that current law doesn’t require such approval for the executive orders issued recently.
For more North Carolina government and politics news, listen to the Domecast politics podcast from The News & Observer and the NC Insider. You can find it on Megaphone, Apple Podcasts, iHeartRadio, Stitcher or wherever you get your podcasts.
This story was originally published June 23, 2020 at 6:29 PM.
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