RALEIGH, N.C. (November 26, 2024) — On Tuesday, advocates call on Governor Roy Cooper to veto Senate Bill 382 (“SB 382”). SB 382 was presented as a “disaster relief package” for Western NC while in reality, it postpones any meaningful funding until the General Assembly acts and fails to prioritize an inclusive recovery for Western North Carolinians. Although SB 382 provides $227 million to Hurricane Helene recovery, $225 million cannot be immediately used and will remain unspent in the Helene Fund until the General Assembly acts.
Urgent funding is needed to provide affordable and stable housing as winter fastly approaches. Over 10,000 renters have been displaced by Hurricane Helene, yet only $1 million for rental assistance has been allocated since September. Western NC is home to over 500,000 small businesses, and without financial support, are expected to experience $15.9 billion in economic loss due to damage. Western NC relies heavily on fall tourism, and 78% of small businesses have reported a significant loss in revenue since Hurricane Helene.
Funding is also desperately needed for childcare support and assistance for working families. Only $10 million was provided for childcare, and yet the Office of State Budget & Management identified a need for at least $36 million. 55 childcare centers have reported damage severe enough to prevent their reopening, creating challenges for working families seeking safe, reliable childcare options.
Additionally, SB 382 is a 132-page partisan power grab created behind closed doors to deliberately undermine the results of the 2024 election. Ramming through a conference report without member and public input is not how a free democracy works. In masking this shameful attempt to consolidate power with a partial and grossly inadequate hurricane relief bill, thelegislature is prioritizing politics and not the people of North Carolina, especially those still struggling to recover from Hurricane Helene.
“This bill is a wolf in sheep’s clothing. Its rushed and secretive introduction reflects an alarming disregard for transparency and fairness. SB 382 would weaken election protections, impose unreasonable administrative burdens, and amplify the influence of corporate money in politics, all at the expense of North Carolina voters,” said Deborah Maxwell, President of the North Carolina NAACP.
“Legislative leadership admits this bill is in response to the outcomes of our elections thus subverting the will of the voters. It further erodes democratic principles by stripping the powers from elected offices right after an election. These are actions of two-bit dictators not leaders of a democracy,“ said Melissa Price Kromm, Executive Director of N.C. For the People Action
“From October 17 to November 5th, North Carolinians voted in record numbers. They were clear about who they chose as their representatives. Once again, certain lawmakers are telling the people who has power and who doesn’t while disregarding the will of the people. We call on Governor Cooper to join us and the people of NC in vetoing this egregious power grab.” said Cheryl Carter, Co-Executive Director of Democracy North Carolina.
