Gov. Cooper vetoes second bill that would have reopened gyms, bars
RALEIGH, NC (WWAY) — Governor Roy Cooper has vetoed a bill that would have temporarily allowed fitness clubs, gyms, and bars to reopen.
The House voted 69-50 in favor while the Senate voted 36-13 in favor of the House Bill 594 on Tuesday.
The bill would have allowed any indoor or outdoor exercise and fitness facilities, gyms, health clubs, and fitness centers to open and operate if certain conditions are met.
The legislation also included a revised outdoor seating policy to address the Governor’s veto of a bill to treat dining and beverage establishments equally.
The General Assembly passed similar legislation in House Bill 536, but the bill was vetoed by the Governor.
In House Bill 594, the General Assembly addressed the Governor’s concerns with House Bill 536 by allowing the Governor to re-close beverage and dining service establishments with concurrence of the Council of State, a common requirement of emergency authority in North Carolina.
However, the governor vetoed the bill on Friday.
“Tying the hands of public health officials in times of pandemic is dangerous, especially when case counts and hospitalizations are rising. State and local officials must be able to take swift action during the COVID-19 emergency to prevent a surge of patients from overwhelming hospitals and endangering the lives of North Carolinians,” Governor Cooper shared in a statement. “The bill could restrict leaders who need to respond quickly to outbreaks and protect public health and safety.”
Senator Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) released the following statement on Gov. Cooper’s veto of his bill.
“On the same day attorneys argued in court that Gov. Cooper’s different treatment of bars and restaurants is inexplicable, Gov. Cooper vetoed this economic lifeline for thousands of businesses across North Carolina. Our state is one of only four that has not reopened gyms and fitness centers. Why did he walk with protesters without a mask on, but prohibits everyday citizens from using an elliptical machine at a gym? Why is it safe to have a drink outside at a restaurant, but it’s dangerous to have a drink outside at a bar? Gov. Cooper needs to release the science behind these apparent contradictions.”
Leave a Reply