Hoping that Governor McCrory will veto bills relating to magistrates and ag-gag? You’re likely to be disappointed. The magistrates bill, which would allow magistrates to opt-out of performing gay marriages if it violates a “sincerely-held religious belief” is important to social conservatives and ag-gag is important to the agricultural industry. McCrory doesn’t want to risk upsetting either group.
On the magistrates bill, McCrory has already stated he won’t sign it into law. But unless he vetoes it, it’s going to become the law of the land. As he prepares for reelection next year, McCrory’s public statements on the issue are for the purpose of signaling that social issues are not a priority for the self-described “Eisenhower Republican.” But he’s not going to go out of his way to rile up social conservatives, either.
Then there’s the “ag-gag” law. Initiated by those in the agriculture sector, it would allow business owners to sue employees who secretly record audio or video in the workplace. In the past, these recordings have been used to chronicle farm animal abuse. Although it’s produced a celebrity Twitter campaign urging McCrory to veto the bill, my prediction is that McCrory will sign it quietly. Maybe tomorrow, which is Friday.
Of course, maybe I’m wrong and the governor will actually veto both of them. But in my view that’s unlikely. All the veto pleas from opponents of these bills on social media are probably in vain.
Update: McCrory will veto SB2, the magistrates bill. That’s a surprise and a welcome one for progressives. A McCrory veto means that a veto override will be very close in the House.
Second update: OK, time to stop making predictions as to what McCrory will do. He has vetoed the ag-gag bill.
John Wynne is the “conservative voice” at PoliticsNC, where he also provides polling analysis and commentary on legislative campaigns. When not writing about politics, he enjoys gardening and listening to opera. Contact: johncwynne@gmail.com.
Time to find a new source closer to the inner circle.
Invaders of the North and from out West with money as came from NY for Luther Hodges when Cannon wouldn’t help with RTP will be driven out or won’t come with their wives and girlfriends to a place where the laws are regressive regarding equal rights.
Greensboro, Raleigh, and Charlotte are strong and growing. These are car Urban near to nightmares, but conform to the American Way, while Greensboro is the place for the quick to the airport people that don’t like the traffic of Charlotte or RDU with those get you lost in circles super highways.
Making an enemy of Tesla that is way out front with electric cars, and Solar battery power, ignoring Honda and Hondajet, are signs of a stupid government intent on making the State safe for the backward and ignorant.
Cooper is right that the social issue legislation that the NC Legislature is all about is wasting time that ought be spent on issues of change and adaptation to a world hard to keep up with. Moving the starting line for all the people of the State back to 1910 shows nothing but the ignorant and stupid in blabber buckets of grease.
John, you missed on your prediction on the magistrates’ bill. Let’s all hope you are wrong on the ag-gag bill.
Magistrates, like judges and legislators, take an oath to uphold the laws, the US Constitution and the NC Constitution not inconsistent with the US Constitution. Thus, they know going in that they are going to have to uphold laws that they do no like or do not agree with. Same as with judges. I have known judges who disagree with the death penalty, but they still do their job when called upon to try a death penalty case.
If you cannot uphold the oath of the office you are taking don’t take the job. You are not qualified to do it if you cannot uphold the very oath that you are called upon to uphold. It is that simple. Pity that each legislator in the NCGA does not follow this simple rule as well. Maybe each day they should have to retake the oath so it might sink in at some point. But then again that may be asking too much since it seems their their brains are not working so well.
Woah I’m surprised I actually agree w/ McCrory on something here. I hope there aren’t enough far right Republicans in the State House to override….
Heard it on the radio and it is being reported on the Observer website. So, McCrory is doing the right thing on this one.
Breaking News I just saw. McCrory is going to Veto the Magistrates Bill.
Well, so much for insights and predictions from Mr. Wynne.
Whether he plays the role of “Whine then Sign” Pat (by pointing out what he objects to, but then actually signing them) or “Whine then Decline” Pat (by ignoring thus allowing them to become law), McCrory demonstrates once again that he cares more about donors/special interests and his own re-election than what is best for the state, and that he is as spineless as governors come. He is the epitome of a meek, weak-kneed, and “all talk, no walk” governor. Totally irrelevant.
Heard about McCrory’s planned veto of magistrates bill. Am in shock — and very pleased. Glad too that he used the right rational, i.e., they are public state employees who have a job, and they can’t pick and choose what they will or won’t do with the job’s responsibilities. Here’s hoping an override is not in the future. Moore would do well to not pursue such and get McCrory more in his camp.
Maybe not: big balls to veto two high priority bills for the legislature. I’ve developed a lot of respect gor the Governor this week
I agree highly unlikely he will use his VETO stamp. He will probably take the cowardly way out and just let them become law by not signing or vetoing. Middle of the road Pat is very scared of the far right.