NC governor vetoes anti-DEI, transgender rights bills
Source: The Hill
07/04/25 6:27 PM ET
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein (D) on Thursday vetoed three bills targeting diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) initiatives within the state government, as well as a measure that takes aim at transgender rights.
With the anti-DEI bills — Senate Bill 227, Senate Bill 558 and House Bill 171 — the GOP-led state legislature sought to eliminate what it called “discriminatory practices” in public education with threats to cut funding and to prevent local and state government agencies from promoting or maintaining DEI programs or policies.
Stein, in his veto messages, said the bills were “riddled with vague definitions.” “Our diversity is our strength. We should not whitewash history, ban books, or treat our teachers with distrust and disdain,” he wrote in one veto. “Rather than fearing differing viewpoints and cracking down on free speech, we should ensure our students can learn from diverse perspectives and form their own opinions.”
In another, the first-term governor suggested the legislation would “make it harder” for the state to provide high quality services to its residents. “My administration is focused on building the strongest team possible by hiring and supporting the best employees. We cannot recruit and retain them without creating a welcoming work environment,” Stein wrote. “We make our most effective decisions when there is a diverse set of perspectives around the table.”
Read more: https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/5385589-north-carolina-josh-stein-veto-anti-dei-transgender-bills/
Thankfully the NC state legislature has one chamber that is just short of being able to override (assuming all (D)s vote against doing such).
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