North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has vetoed four controversial bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and transgender rights, setting up a political clash with the Republican-led General Assembly.
Stein, a Democrat, has criticized the three DEI-focused bills as ‘mean-spirited,’ arguing that they would ‘marginalize vulnerable people.’ These bills aim to ban DEI training, hiring practices, and staff positions in state and local governments, while also prohibiting the use of state funds for DEI programming. Additionally, the legislation could impose civil penalties on workers who violate these rules. No Democrats supported the three DEI bills, highlighting the deep partisan divide in the state.
The measures addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion in state and local governments, K-12 schools, and the university system have been a key priority for GOP lawmakers. They argue that such programs have overemphasized identity at the expense of merit and societal unity. Meanwhile, the transgender bill began as a bipartisan effort to curb sexual exploitation by enforcing age verification and consent rules on pornography websites. However, lawmakers later added controversial provisions, including a ban on state-funded gender-affirming procedures for prisoners.
Stein praised the anti-sexual exploitation provisions in the transgender bill but argued that the final measure went too far. His veto message emphasized his belief that ‘we are all children of God no matter our differences’ and that targeting vulnerable people is wrong. The veto brings Stein’s total to 11 since taking office, all within the last two weeks, reflecting the intensity of the political battle in the state.
With the four bills now returning to the General Assembly, Republicans face a challenge in overruling the veto, as they are one vote short of a veto-proof supermajority in the House. Stein’s actions continue to underscore the ideological rift between the state’s Democratic governor and Republican lawmakers, highlighting the broader national debate over DEI and transgender rights.