Josh Stein Archives - Page 2 of 4

More Roy Cooper lieutenants staying on the job in North Carolina Gov.-elect Stein’s Cabinet

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Several more top lieutenants of outgoing North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper have agreed to work for fellow Democrat and successor Josh Stein’s administration. They include Cooper’s transportation and public safety secretaries and the state budget director — all of whom will stay in their current posts. Each of them have had significant roles responding to Hurricane Helene. Stein already said this week that two other Cooper department secretaries will be on his team as well — albeit leading new departments Stein was elected governor last month and will take his oath of office early in the new year.… Continue Reading

Next North Carolina governor names 7 Cabinet secretaries, with 2 current department heads

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein has announced several of his Cabinet secretary choices. Stein revealed appointments to seven departments Monday. They include two holdovers from outgoing Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration, as well as what his transition team says are the state’s first Latino and first Indian American secretaries. The Cooper secretaries that will stay on are poised to go to new agencies. Reid Wilson will move to environmental quality and Pamela Cashwell to natural and cultural resources. Cabinet members are subject to state Senate confirmation. Stein is expected to get sworn in early in the new year.… Continue Reading

Current, future North Carolina governor’s challenge of power-shifting law could be first of many

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper and Gov.-elect Josh Stein have challenged a portion of a law just enacted by the Republican-dominated General Assembly that erodes Stein’s powers and those of other top Democrats elected last month. The lawsuit filed Thursday in state court focuses on a provision that would prevent Stein from picking his own commander of the State Highway Patrol. More court challenges are likely because the bill enacted Wednesday with a veto override seeks to weaken Stein and others elsewhere. Later this month, Cooper leaves office after eight years. Republican lawmakers didn’t immediately respond to the lawsuit.… Continue Reading

North Carolina GOP lawmakers enact a law eroding the incoming Democratic governor’s powers

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House Republicans have enacted legislation that erodes some powers of several statewide offices newly-elected Democrats are slated to hold next month. Lawmakers overrode Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto. One of the most significant changes shifts the power to appoint state elections board members from the governor to the state auditor. The state auditor will be a Republican next year. The law also diminishes some powers of the attorney general, lieutenant governor and schools superintendent. Opposition to the bill has drawn protests in the state House’s gallery.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Republicans close in on enacting bill that weakens incoming Democratic governor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina legislative Republicans are closing in on enacting a measure that would erode powers of the incoming governor and other statewide Democratic officials who got elected last month. The GOP-dominated state Senate voted successfully on Monday to override Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of a bill. The bill would in part weaken Gov.-elect Josh Stein. It would transfer the governor’s authority to make State Board of Elections appointments to the next state auditor — a Republican. The bill now returns to the House, where another successful override vote next week would make it law. Litigation is possible, however.… Continue Reading

North Carolina’s governor has vetoed a GOP bill that would weaken his successor and other Democrats

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed Republican-backed legislation that weakens the powers of several Democrats slated to hold statewide offices next year. Republicans will try to override the veto next month, but it’s unclear whether they’ll have enough votes to do so. The bill would move appointments to the State Board of Elections from the Democratic governor’s office to the now-Republican state auditor. It also erodes the powers of the attorney general, superintendent of public education and the lieutenant governor. The bill also contains some relief provisions for areas impacted by Hurricane Helene but most of that money can’t be spent until the General Assembly reconvenes.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Republicans push through bill weakening incoming governor and attorney general

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Republicans have advanced legislation that would weaken the powers of the incoming governor, attorney general and schools superintendent. All those are Democrats who were elected two weeks ago. The final measure was made public Tuesday shortly before the GOP-controlled House started debate during a lame-duck General Assembly session. Republicans are likely to lose their veto-proof majority beginning in January following electoral losses in the House. So this could be the best chance to move partisan changes as Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper leaves office. The bill would prevent Gov.-elect Josh Stein from choosing State Board of Elections members starting next summer and give that authority to the Republican state auditor.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Democrats find electoral success further down the ballot and hope to build on it

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats fell short again in wresting away swing-state prize North Carolina from Republicans in the presidential election. But their party succeeded with significant state down-ballot victories that builds them hope for the next cycle. Donald Trump narrowly won North Carolina’s electoral votes for the third consecutive election. But Democratic candidates for governor, lieutenant governor and attorney general won, and legislative candidates appear to have secured enough victories to end the GOP’s veto-proof majority. State Republican leaders say their party is still doing well. They point to winning five statewide executive branch posts, retaining General Assembly control and continuing recent dominance in statewide appellate court races.… Continue Reading

Republicans make gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notch a few wins

Republicans running on the ballot underneath President-elect Donald Trump have made gains in numerous state legislatures. But Democrats also notched a few wins in an expensive battle for state power. The most notable change came in Michigan, where Republicans won back the House just two years after Democrats took full control of state government. Republicans also appear on track to force a tie in the Minnesota House, which had been led by Democrats. Both parties scored some incremental victories. Republicans ended Democrats’ veto-proof supermajority in Vermont, while Democrats appeared on track to do the same in North Carolina.… Continue Reading

Democrats gain another statewide position in North Carolina with Rachel Hunt victory

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The group of North Carolina elected executive branch positions known as the Council of State will have equal numbers of Democrats and Republicans come January. Democrats flipped the positions of lieutenant governor and superintendent of public instruction, while a Republican defeated the incumbent Democratic state auditor. Rachel Hunt’s victory for lieutenant governor capped other top Democratic wins, including Josh Stein for governor and Jeff Jackson for attorney general. Hunt is the daughter of former four-term Gov. Jim Hunt. Meanwhile, Republicans continued their recent dominance in appellate court races by winning three seats and leading narrowly in a fourth.… Continue Reading