Gov. Josh Stein Vetoes Bill Granting Chief Justice Power to Suspend Judges
The veto blocks a GOP measure that would have let Chief Justice Paul Newby suspend judges without pay during ethics probes.
- On Monday, North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein vetoed House Bill 377, legislation granting Supreme Court Chief Justice Paul Newby authority to suspend trial judges without pay during investigations.
- The General Assembly has repeatedly passed legislation over 13 years to consolidate judicial control, shifting authority away from the governor and independent commissions toward legislative leaders.
- Stein contends the bill "would have a chilling effect on judicial independence" by granting powers no other chief justice nationwide possesses. Democratic Rep. Marcia Morey criticized the lack of transparent investigation processes.
- House Speaker Destin Hall, a Republican, defended the measure as protection against "reckless judges," stating he intends to override the veto when the General Assembly reconvenes.
- Because the General Assembly adjourned, an override remains unlikely until November, as House Republicans require support from at least one Democrat or unaffiliated lawmaker to reach the three-fifths majority needed.
16 Articles
16 Articles
Stein vetoes bill giving NC chief justice power to suspend judges while disciplinary cases are pending
House Bill 377 would allow the chief justice of the North Carolina Supreme Court to suspend a district or superior court judge after receiving a recommendation from the Judicial Standards Commission. Republican Paul Newby currently holds the position.
The Sanford Herald
The Center SquareJudicial accountability proposal vetoed
(The Center Square) – Proposed judicial accountability, in the form of public reprimand, censure, suspension or the removal of trial judges from office for misconduct, was vetoed by first-term Democratic Gov. Josh Stein on Monday.
Stein vetoes bill allowing chief justice to suspend judges
Gov. Josh Stein vetoed House Bill 377, 2026 Court Changes, on Monday, saying the bill “would have a chilling effect on judicial independence by giving the Chief Justice authority to suspend trial judges without pay, a power no other Chief Justice in the country has.” In addition to suspending trial court judges without pay while they are under investigation, the bill would allow the Supreme Court to change the punishment recommended by the North…
Hanford Sentinel
NC governor vetoes bill that lets chief justice suspend judges without pay
RALEIGH, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Josh Stein on Monday vetoed a bill that would allow the state’s chief justice to suspend trial judges without pay during investigations into their conduct. Stein, a Democrat, told The News & Observer in…
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