North Carolina Gov. Cooper vetoes hurricane relief bill [Video]

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed a state “disaster relief” bill because he says the “legislation is a sham.”

With Republicans likely to lose their veto-proof majority in the next two-year legislative session, this session could be the last best chance for those lawmakers to enact laws containing sharp partisan changes. 

The Republican attempt to erode Democrats’ powers recalls similar measures passed in late 2016 that were designed to weaken Cooper, who was about to succeed Republican Gov. Pat McCrory. Those bills led to loud demonstrations in the Legislative Building and dozens of arrests.

The bill now returns to the General Assembly, where Republicans are expected to start their override attempt in Raleigh next week. They usually need all GOP House members and senators present and unified to be successful. But that …