roy cooper Archives

After fighting virus, storms and Republicans, departing North Carolina Gov. Cooper focuses on wins

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper leaves his job next week after eight years. It’s a span in which the southern Democrat picked his moments against a Republican-dominated legislature to win big on expanding Medicaid and on requiring cleaner energy. State law barred Cooper from seeking a third consecutive term. Now the 67-year-old Cooper must decide whether to run for the U.S. Senate in 2026. He tells The Associated Press that he’ll take some time to “think about how I can best contribute to the things that I care about.” Cooper’s national profile grew during this year’s presidential campaign, launching him into the conversation as a potential running mate for Kamala Harris.… Continue Reading

A power grab by Republicans in North Carolina becomes a referendum on democracy in the states

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Democrats in North Carolina were celebrating big wins in the swing state after the November election, including victories for governor and other top statewide offices. But the political high didn’t last long. Republican lawmakers are stripping away these newly elected officials’ powers through a series of wide-ranging changes while anticipating they’ll lose their veto-proof majority next year. Critics say the moves were rushed through without any chance for public comment or analysis and undermine the will of the voters. But they have few options for undoing them, with Republicans controlling the legislature and having a majority on the state supreme court.… Continue Reading

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

Governor presents Hurricanes’ coach Rod Brind’Amour with North Carolina honor

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Carolina Hurricanes coach Rod Brind’Amour was presented with the state’s highest honor by Gov. Roy Cooper after Sunday’s 4-1 win over the Columbus Blue Jackets. Brind’Amour received the Order of the Long Leaf Pine, which is given to people who have made significant contributions to the state and their community. Cooper was in the Hurricanes locker room prior to the game to read the starting lineup before returning amid the postgame celebration. The 67-year-old Cooper has long been a supporter of the Hurricanes and frequently attends home games.… 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

After 1 year, Medicaid expansion in North Carolina nears its enrollment goal

GREENVILLE, N.C. (AP) — Enrollment in North Carolina’s new Medicaid coverage for low-income adults has nearly reached the state’s goal of 600,000 in only a year. So says Gov. Roy Cooper’s administration, which reports that over 590,000 are enrolled in Medicaid expansion. At the start of expansion in December 2023, Cooper’s administration had estimated 600,000 would be reached within two years. Cooper celebrated the enrollment news and other health care accomplishments during a speaking event in Greenville. The Democratic governor leaves office at the end of the month after two terms. He’s also citing more money for mental health treatment and an effort to rid hospital patients of medical debt.… 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 official overseeing hurricane rebuilding efforts is no longer in role

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The chief operating officer for the North Carolina Office of Recovery and Resiliency is no longer working in the position as of Wednesday. An office spokesperson confirmed Laura Hogshead is out of the role and Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s legislative lobbyist Pryor Gibson will serve in the interim. Hogshead’s departure comes after a scathing rebuke of her work by GOP state lawmakers during a Monday hearing. The recovery office is facing a more than $220 million deficit to continue housing projects in parts of eastern North Carolina impacted by Hurricane Matthew and Hurricane Florence. Republican legislators say the office has mismanaged its funds.… Continue Reading

North Carolina Republicans complete a veto override of voucher, immigration bill

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The Republican-dominated North Carolina legislature has completed its override of Gov. Roy Cooper’s veto of legislation that addresses both private school scholarship grants and immigration. The Senate voted on Wednesday to enact the bill despite Cooper’s objections, one day after the House conducted a similar vote. Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in each chamber. The bill is now law. It means that about $463 million will be provided to the Opportunity Scholarship program in part to eliminate a waitlist of families. The bill also directs local sheriffs to comply with federal immigration agents’ requests to detain inmates believed to be in the country illegally.… Continue Reading