Controversial mask, campaign finance bill is vetoed by NC Gov. Cooper
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(QUEEN CITY NEWS) — A controversial mask bill that also tried to slip in some changes to how North Carolina campaign finances could be used was vetoed Friday by Governor Roy Cooper.
“This legislation creates a gaping loophole for secret, unlimited campaign money in the middle of an election year,” Gov. Cooper said in a released statement on Friday. “While voters are kept in the dark, this scheme allows anonymous out-of-state billionaires to flood North Carolina with campaign contributions to rescue extreme right-wing candidates that Republicans now fear will lose. The legislation also removes protections and threatens criminal charges for people who want to protect their health by wearing a mask.”
It started as a bill limiting the use of masks during protests until lawmakers added a revision concerning campaign finances.
“I think it definitely obscures the transparency because it allows what people refer to as dark money to come in, unlimited contributions without donor disclosure,” political science professor at Davidson College Dr. Susan Roberts told Queen City News. “I think this is a matter of context.”
PREVIOUS: Mask, campaign finance bill heads to NC Governor’s desk
She says it’s not the first time legislators have tucked away unrelated items in a piece of legislation.
In 2013, the North Carolina House passed a controversial bill 74-41 about two unrelated goals: it restricts access to abortion and increases safety for motorcyclists.
“Campaign finance law is never really neutral. And that’s one of the things that’s in this piece of legislation. Sometimes it depends on the context. And here the Republicans can do that. Whether or not this is something that benefits someone in the governor’s race is yet to be seen,” Dr. Roberts said.
The latest campaign finance records show Attorney General Josh Stein had raised $19.1 million as of February, with $12.7 million left to spend.
Lt. Governor Mark Robinson was millions of dollars behind with only $10.7 million raised in that same period, with $4.5 million left to spend.
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