Governor McCrory has five bills sitting on his desk. He can sign, veto or do nothing. If he does nothing, the bill automatically becomes law without his signature. He has said he allow the Coal Ash Management Act to become law without his signature. Some reports in the media would lead one to believe that this is unusual. It’s not.
Under North Carolina law, the governor has thirty days from the date the General Assembly adjourned to take action (or not) on legislation. It is not unusual in North Carolina for bills to become law without the governor’s signature. Governor McCroy allowed two bills from the 2013 session to become law without his signature. Beverly Purdue didn’t sign nineteen bills that became law anyway (all but one were presented to her by a Republican-led General Assembly). Governor Easley allowed 12 bills to become law without his signature. Governor Hunt turned away four bills (three dealt with raffles and ABC regs) that became law without his signature.
Besides the Coal Ash Management Act, Gov. McCrory has four other bills pending on his desk. Criminal Law Changes, NC and SC Rail Compact, JMAC Modifications and Regulatory Reform Act of 2014. He has until September 19 to decide – sign, veto or let it slide without his signature. What’ll it be?
