New Hanover County leaders respond to Governor vetoing HB 56

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) –  New Hanover County commissioners are weighing in after Governor Roy Cooper announced last week his veto of House Bill 56.

The bill would have brought funds to the CFPUA and UNCW to research GenX.

Conservative members of the commission made the joint statement.

In it they say in part, “the county will be deprived of a rapid and immediate response to address the drinking water situation”.

Two members on the commission released a statement in support of the veto.

Commissioners Rob Zapple and John Barfield Junior went on to say the bill,”falls short of providing vital resources to the state agencies that protect our drinking water.”

Commissioners do agree funding for the state groups that monitor water quality should happen eventually.

Below is the full statement from White, Kusek, and Watkins.

“HB 56 included several of New Hanover County’s top legislative priorities including funding for GenX research and testing, and the establishment of a program to protect the state’s shoreline from coastal storms.

With the veto of the bill, the county will be deprived of a rapid and immediate response to address the drinking water situation in the Cape Fear region. While the long-term issue of funding for state agencies to handle enforcement must be addressed, the county encourages the N.C. General Assembly to override the veto so that funds can be distributed locally to start work immediately on the research and testing that is needed to keep our residents safe.

Overriding HB 56 also ensures that New Hanover County and every other ocean-front county has a permanent support system for maintaining healthy beaches and a vibrant economy.”

Below is the full statement by Barfield Jr. and Zapple.

“The veto of HB 56 bill emphasizes the importance of environmental protection across the Cape Fear region and the entire state of North Carolina. 

HB 56 falls short of providing vital resources to the state agencies that protect our drinking water and does not direct enough money to all necessary agencies to combat the problem of GenX and other unregulated compounds in our drinking water. Another portion of the same bill also takes away important solid waste disposal options, causing operating challenges that will cost taxpayers additional money not only for New Hanover County’s landfill but for landfills and solid waste enterprises across the state. We acknowledge that HB 56 met a top priority of creating the framework of a state program that supports coastal storm damage reduction, and we support that policy without hesitation, but this bill, as it is written, covering multiple, unconnected issues, is not the right way to meet that objective.  

The N.C. General Assembly is encouraged to find a sustainable solution to tackle the long-term challenge of protecting our county’s drinking water, supporting coastal storm damage reduction funding, and ensuring business practices that protect the long term interests of taxpayers and make for viable local solid waste enterprises.”