Photo by Jim Bowen

CHAPEL HILL – Your North Carolina senator, Ellie Kinnaird, has one point of positive feedback for Governor Pat McCrory’s veto of the Welfare Drug Testing bill, but she says the Governor didn’t get everything right.

“He did the right thing,” Senator Kinnaird says. “Now, as far as the fleeing felons, is this a problem? We kind of doubt it. He’s probably on pretty good grounds that they can fix it later on. I just don’t think that there are that many fugitive felons that are applying for temporary assistance for needy families or any of these social services.”

Thursday, Gov. McCrory vetoed his first bill since being in office—House Bill 392—which would have required drug screening of those applying for welfare assistance.

The executive order Gov. McCrory signed along with the veto is entitled “Strengthening Fugitive Apprehension and Protecting Public Benefits.” In a release, Gov. McCrory says he wants to “ensure that fugitive felons are not on public assistance rolls.”

However, Senator Kinnaird says there are other ways to make sure the welfare program is protected.

“They always have background checks available; they’re not that hard to come by,” Senator Kinnaird says. “What it would do is make it more selective. So, I really think that this is a common sense veto on his part, and it will greatly relieve our departments or social services that are already stretched thin.”

Gov. McCrory also says he vetoed the drug screening bill because it would be a burden on taxpayers and that other states with similar laws showed little positive feedback for fighting drug addiction.

The bill passed the house and senate in overwhelming fashion. The Senate approved it 42-4 while the House approved it 92-21 with three no votes.

Related Stories
‹
Veto No. 2: Seasonal Work Limit Remains 90 Days
Governor Pat McCrory says he took a stand Thursday to protect your state’s jobs with his second veto while in office.
North Carolina Governor Vetoes Another Set of Bills, Including One on Guns in Private Schools
Gov. Josh Stein cleared his desk Wednesday of bills passed to him from the North Carolina General Assembly last month, vetoing three.
North Carolina Governor Vetoes Anti-DEI and Transgender Rights Bills, Calling Them ‘Mean-Spirited'
North Carolina Democratic Gov. Josh Stein vetoed on Thursday three anti-DEI bills and another measure that in part would target transgender rights.
North Carolina Gov. Stein Vetoes Bill Repealing Interim Greenhouse Gas Reduction Mandate
North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed legislation Wednesday that in part would repeal an interim greenhouse gas reduction mandate set for Duke Energy's power generation.
Taxes, Salaries, Vacancy Cuts Make Plain Differences Over Rival North Carolina GOP Budgets
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — The North Carolina House’s reveal of its state government budget proposal makes plain the differences on taxes, salaries and job cuts between Republicans who control both General Assembly chambers. With strong bipartisan support, the House gave preliminary approval late Wednesday to its plan to spend $32.6 […]
North Carolina’s Next Governor Could Have a More Potent Veto With Even a Small Democratic Gain
North Carolina Democratic Gov.-elect Josh Stein's veto could become more effective, should the margin hold for their party.
Vaping Regulations, DMV Changes Among Bills Signed by North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper
North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper signed four bills Wednesday, including one that creates a new registry for vaping products.
North Carolina Governor Vetoes Masks Bill Largely Because of Provision About Campaign Finance
After changes were made to North Carolina's masking bill, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed the it over a new campaign finance provision.
North Carolina Governor Roy Cooper Vetoes First Bill of 2024 Legislative Session
In his first veto of 2024, North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper blocked a bill that would allow more trees to be cut back in favor of billboards.
North Carolina Gov. Cooper Vetoes Two More Bills, but Budget Still on Track To Become Law Tuesday
Written by GARY D. ROBERTSON North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed on Monday both an energy bill and the legislature’s annual regulatory reform measure, while allowing legislation directing more state government oversight of high school athletics to become law. The measures were among those the General Assembly approved last month before it left Raleigh for […]
›