Good Sunday morning! Welcome to Under the Dome, your go-to newsletter for everything happening with North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. I’m Dawn Vaughan, Capitol bureau chief at The News & Observer, here to give you the lowdown on Stein’s recent moves, vetoes, and signings as the General Assembly hit pause for the Fourth of July week.
Before the summer break, the legislature fired off a hefty batch of bills to Gov. Stein’s desk. As usual, he’s been busy signing some, vetoing others, and leaving a pile waiting for his signature. This dance between the governor and the legislature is heating up — especially with Republicans in the House just one vote shy of the three-fifths majority needed to override any vetoes.
Here’s the scoop: The state Senate enjoys a Republican supermajority, so veto overrides there are pretty straightforward. But in the House, it’s a bit trickier. The GOP needs either a Democrat to jump aboard or enough lawmakers to be absent so that the math favors overriding a veto. It’s a political chess game that’s keeping things interesting.
Stein’s Vetoes Stir the Pot
Last Thursday was a busy day for Governor Stein. He vetoed three bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs in public schools, universities, and state government. These bills, if they had passed, would’ve effectively wiped out DEI initiatives in K-12 education and beyond.
Stein wasn’t shy about his stance, calling those bills “mean-spirited” and criticizing them for coming at a time when North Carolina still doesn’t have a finalized budget. He accused the lawmakers pushing them of “stoking culture wars that further divide us.” It’s clear Stein is willing to push back hard on measures he sees as divisive.
At the same time, Stein vetoed one bill concerning gender identity but signed another related bill. (Our colleague T. Keung Hui broke down the details if you want the full scoop.) This nuanced approach shows Stein’s weighing bills individually rather than taking a blanket stance.
On the Bright Side: Some Wins for Public Health and Rights
While he was busy with vetoes, Stein also signed some bills with unanimous support, including Senate Bill 600. This law does two important things: it lets people sign up to be organ and tissue donors directly on their state income tax return form — a huge step in making organ donation easier — and it broadens the use of epinephrine delivery in schools. That means schools can now use FDA-approved nasal sprays for severe allergic reactions alongside the traditional injectors. For anyone worried about allergies in kids, this is a welcome safety update.
Stein also signed:
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Senate Bill 655, which extends certain rights to the Catawba Indian Nation similar to those enjoyed by the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.
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House Bill 763, making it easier for folks with occupational licenses from neighboring states to get recognized here.
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House Bill 357, which includes some regulations requested by the Department of Insurance.
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Senate Bill 125, which reorganizes parts of the state law and extends deadlines for school safety grants.
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Senate Bill 307, affecting limited liability company (LLC) memberships.
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Senate Bill 133, allowing the state community college system to look for a new learning management system across all schools.
Plus, he signed House Bill 928, letting physical therapists evaluate potential concussions in middle and high school athletes. This change is effective immediately — a real win for youth sports safety.
A Quick Look at Last Week’s Other Moves
The day before, Stein vetoed some bills that would have shifted more power to the state auditor and the charter schools board — a clear pushback on expanding government control in those areas. He also nixed a bill that would have allowed planned delays in cutting greenhouse gas emissions, showing he’s not ready to slow down on environmental issues.
On the flip side, Stein signed seven other “noncontroversial” bills, touching everything from coastal regulatory reform to tweaks in real estate law and more agency-driven requests. One of the more public-facing changes was a new state law banning cellphone use by students in classrooms — a move aimed at improving focus and reducing distractions in schools.
Another important new law protects public universities’ Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) contracts, ensuring student athletes get some security with their endorsement deals.
And if you’re curious about transit, Stein recently signed a Charlotte transit bill, which my colleague Mary Ramsey at the Charlotte Observer covered in detail.
What’s Still Waiting?
As of the Fourth of July weekend, Stein had about 18 more bills stacked on his desk. He has 10 days from the day he received each bill to either sign or veto it. This pending batch covers a wide range of topics — everything from law enforcement and military matters to gun regulations and rules about removing people from private property.
If Stein vetoes any more of these, it will add to the growing list of vetoes the General Assembly will likely try to override when they return to Raleigh. As of now, no official return date has been set, but folks are talking about sometime in July or August.
Why This Matters
The governor-legislature tug-of-war isn’t just political theater — it impacts the everyday lives of North Carolinians. From the safety of kids in schools and the environment to the rights of Native American tribes and workers moving across state lines, these bills touch on real, tangible issues.
Governor Stein’s willingness to veto some bills and sign others shows a balance between protecting citizens’ interests and supporting sensible reforms. But with the Republican-controlled General Assembly close to overriding vetoes, North Carolina is set for some high-stakes legislative action soon.
Key Points to Watch
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DEI Battles: Stein’s vetoes on anti-DEI bills signal ongoing culture wars in education.
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Organ Donation Simplified: New law makes signing up easier via tax returns.
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Allergy Safety Boost: Expanded epinephrine options in schools.
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Native American Rights: Extending key rights to the Catawba Nation.
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Licensing Across States: Helping professionals keep their licenses when moving.
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Concussion Protocols: Physical therapists now officially part of athlete health checks.
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Environmental Stand: Veto on greenhouse gas delay shows climate commitment.
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Classroom Tech Ban: Cellphone restrictions to help student focus.
The next few weeks will be critical as Stein works through the remaining bills and the General Assembly prepares to regroup. Keep an eye on Under the Dome for updates on how these legislative battles unfold.
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