North Carolina legislators consider vetoes, constitution changes as work session winds down

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina General Assembly raced Wednesday to advance legislation before completing its chief working session for the year — even as lawmakers know they could return later this summer to settle unfinished business.

That to-be-continued work likely includes adjustments to the second year of the already enacted two-year state budget. While House and Senate Republicans have moved competing spending measures for the fiscal year that begins next week, talks have broken down on working out differences.

Senate leader Phil Berger said his chamber is poised to leave Raleigh after Thursday, and House Speaker Tim Moore has said a “little cooling off” might be in order.

Veto overrides

The General Assembly signaled that legislation addressing protesters and campaign finance, prosecutions of youth offenders and transportation would soon become law despite Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s vetoes.

The House voted Wednesday to override Cooper’s three vetoes so far this year, with similar Senate votes expected on Thursday. Republicans hold narrow veto-proof majorities in both chambers.

One bill increases punishments for people wearing masks while committing a crime and for blocking a road during a demonstration. The changes were made in light of recent protests of the war in Gaza.

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