(The Center Square) – The latest installment of aid for western North Carolina storm victims, and a battle over authority for elected state leaders, is on the cusp of law and possibly litigation.
The House of Representatives is next to try a veto override on the $227 million Helene aid package which makes up just 13 of the first 132 pages of the proposal. That vote is expected this week; the next session begins Thursday.
The Senate on Monday approved the override 30-19.
Even with an override, speculation persists of litigation. The bulk of the bill includes changes to authority for several elected positions much to the displeasure of the governor and fellow Democrats.
Gov. Roy Cooper, in a 99-page proposal for $3.9 billion from the state in fiscal assistance, estimates the damage at $53 billion. The amount in the legislation is less than 6% of the governor’s estimate.
Hurricane Helene made landfall in Florida on Sept. 26, a Thursday night, and soaked the North Carolina mountains as it dissipated. Some areas got more than 30 inches of rain. The recovery is in the 10th week, and in some areas is projected to last more than half a decade.
To wit, recovery remains ongoing in the southeastern part of the state from Hurricane Matthew in October 2016 and Hurricane Florence in September 2018.
During passage, the House vote was 63-46 with no Democrats approving and Republican Reps. Mike Clampitt of Swain County, Karl Gillespie of Macon County and Mark Pless of Haywood County voting nay. All three are from mountain counties. Speaker Tim Moore, R-Cleveland, has indicated he believes his chamber will have votes when needed.
In the Senate, the passage of the bill and the override votes were identical 30-19. Sen. Rachel Hunt, the lieutenant governor-elect, had excused absences for each.