Cooper, Stein sue to block new GOP-led law stripping governor-elect of powers

By Galen Bacharier, NC Newsline North Carolina Governor-elect Josh Stein and Gov. Roy Cooper filed a lawsuit Thursday to block a new Republican-led law shifting executive power in government. Stein, who currently serves as attorney general, and Cooper argue that the portion of the law making the Highway Patrol its own department, with a commander appointed by the GOP-controlled legislature, is unconstitutional. “Senate Bill 382 threatens the safety of North Carolinians by eliminating the Governor’s powers of supervision and removal over the commander,” attorneys for Stein and Cooper write in the lawsuit. Currently, the Highway Patrol falls under the purview of the Department of Public Safety. The head of DPS is appointed by the governor, who also oversees the patrol. Under the new law, the governor would be unable to remove the commander, Stein and Cooper argue – “even if he were to commit serious criminal misconduct.” “The legislatively-appointed commander may feel empowered to delay, modify or flatly reject the direction that he receives from the governor, since he is legislatively mandated to serve until at least July 1, 2030,” the lawsuit continues. Republicans in the General Assembly overrode Cooper’s veto earlier this week, cementing into law a litany of...