ASHEVILLE, N.C. (828newsNOW) — North Carolina lawmakers on Wednesday overrode four of Gov. Josh Stein’s vetoes, enacting a series of bills affecting immigration enforcement, public education and state agency policy — all while state leaders remain without a final budget, which is still long overdue.
The House votes fell largely along party lines, 71-47, with Republicans reaching the three-fifths threshold needed for veto overrides after two lawmakers were absent from the chamber. The votes immediately turned the vetoed measures into law.
Among the measures now enacted is Senate Bill 153, which directs four state law enforcement agencies — including the State Highway Patrol and State Bureau of Investigation — to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and expand immigration-status verification in certain state programs. Supporters say the law strengthens public safety and coordination with federal authorities. Opponents argue it diverts law enforcement resources and could increase fear in immigrant communities.
Also becoming law are Senate Bill 227 and Senate Bill 558, which ban diversity, equity and inclusion policies in public K-12 schools and the UNC System, respectively. A fourth measure, House Bill 171, would extend similar restrictions to state agencies and now returns to the Senate, where lawmakers are expected to consider an override of Stein’s veto.
Stein criticized the overrides, saying lawmakers were prioritizing “culture war” legislation over core responsibilities such as passing a state budget and funding pay raises for teachers and law enforcement.
“As the legislature leaves teachers and law enforcement officers waiting for hard-earned and desperately needed pay raises, members of the General Assembly are stoking division rather than fulfilling their long-overdue responsibility of passing a budget,” Stein said.
Republican leaders said the bills had already been fully debated during earlier sessions and that Wednesday’s votes were a procedural step to complete unfinished business.
The votes came as the General Assembly continues to operate without a final state budget, leaving uncertainty over funding for education, public safety and local governments across North Carolina.
Critics, including advocacy groups and Democratic lawmakers, called the override votes a distraction from the state’s budget impasse. Republican leaders say budget negotiations are ongoing and insist the legislative process is working as intended.