RALEIGH, N.C.—Senate Bill 382, which provides $227 million for disaster relief in western North Carolina, has drawn sharp criticism for including provisions that opponents claim weaken the authority of incoming Democratic leaders and limit post-election ballot corrections.
On Monday, Reverend Dr. William Barber, a prominent civil rights leader, joined advocacy groups at a press conference in Raleigh to condemn the bill, arguing that it exploits disaster victims while advancing a political agenda.
“I don’t care what the party of the people are in western North Carolina,” said Barber. “They deserve to be lifted in this moment. They don’t deserve to be forgotten. They don’t deserve to be stepped over on. And they don’t deserve to be used as a pretext for somebody stripping power.”
The bill ties much-needed disaster relief for Hurricane Helene victims to political provisions that would reduce the authority of the incoming Democratic governor and attorney general, and shorten the window to address provisional ballot issues after Election Day. Critics have described these measures as partisan “power grabs.”
Urgent Calls for Support
Speakers at the hour-long press conference emphasized the dire need for immediate disaster relief.
Jen Hampton, an Asheville resident and advocate with Just Economics, highlighted the struggles of her community. “My friends and neighbors are suffering. So many have nothing left. Nothing. I drive places where nothing’s left,” she said.
Leslie Boyd, of the Poor People’s Campaign, shared her personal experience of going weeks without water and the grim realities faced by those living in temporary shelters. “When I looked out the window in the morning and saw the snow, it wasn’t, ‘My, isn’t this pretty?’ It was, ‘How many people are living in tents and brushing the snow off the tents?’” Boyd called for lawmakers to tap into the state’s budget surplus to provide more relief.
Broader Relief Measures Discussed
Advocates also demanded additional measures such as an eviction moratorium in western North Carolina, rental assistance, and small business grants to stabilize communities affected by the disaster.
Governor Roy Cooper and Governor-elect Josh Stein recently met with federal representatives, including Congresswoman Deborah Ross, to request $25.57 billion in federal aid. This funding would address extensive damage, including repairs to homes, highways, and infrastructure, as well as support for small businesses, schools, and childcare centers.
Ross emphasized the bipartisan nature of the discussions, which explored federal assistance for water access, infrastructure repairs, and small business recovery. “We also talked about the importance of small business loans and having some flexibility for rebuilding because of the unique nature of this particular damage,” Ross said.
Political Tensions Persist
SB 382 passed the Republican-controlled legislature last week, sparking a wave of criticism. Former Governor Pat McCrory and several Democrats have labeled the bill unconstitutional, pointing to its dual focus on disaster relief and political restructuring.
Governor Cooper now faces a decision on whether to veto the bill, a move that would likely trigger further partisan debate.
Meanwhile, advocates continue to press for immediate relief. “We need financial support. We need it for our childcare assistance as well, and small businesses so we don’t lose our small, local businesses and keep people in our region,” Hampton urged.
As the state waits on Cooper’s decision, communities across western North Carolina remain in need, with advocates warning that further delays could exacerbate their hardships.
