House Republicans vote to override four of Gov. Stein's vetoes. What does this mean for North Carolina?

On June 24, 2026, House Republicans voted to override four of Gov. Stein's vetoes, with three bills becoming law. What will these racist laws mean for North Carolina? 

Senate Bill 227 and Senate Bill 558 will attempt to ban diversity, equity, and inclusion in K-12 public schools and higher education, respectively. Both measures would require schools to dismantle any diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and restrict the instruction or promotion of what they label “divisive concepts.”

SB 227 recycles language from an anti-CRT bill a few years ago in a shortsighted attempt to score cheap political points. The law has very little to do with diversity, equity, or inclusion except the single line banning school districts from having offices with that title. However, the chilling effect on support for marginalized students will be felt. 

Gov. Stein vetoed both bills in July 2025, but with yesterday’s overrides, both SB 227 and SB 558 will become law. 

Senate Bill 153, considered one of the most dangerous anti-immigrant bills in state history, will mandate statewide cooperation with federal immigration authorities, such as ICE. This law is a blatant anti-immigrant attack that will heighten hostility toward immigrant communities by pressuring state employees and charities to violate privacy protections and deny support. The bill would compel law enforcement to attempt to determine residency status of anyone in custody for the purposes of delivering them to federal authorities. 

With yesterday’s string of veto overrides, SB 153 will also become law. 

House Bill 171 attempts to ban DEI efforts in all state agencies, including universities and community colleges. It would also prohibit funding of DEI efforts from other sources. State employees accused of violating the ban could be terminated, removed from office, or sued in civil court. 

Gov. Stein also vetoed this bill in July 2025, stating that these “mean-spirited bills would marginalize vulnerable people and also undermine the quality of public services and public education.” 

HB 171 will be sent to the Senate, which is also expected to override the veto, forcing it into law. 

CREED strongly condemns these destructive and malicious veto overrides. They are coordinated attacks on education, immigration, and our communities, coming at a time when the NC legislature has still not passed a state budget. Public servants like teachers, first responders, and other state employees are left with stagnant wages, staffing shortages, and frozen operations. 

Diversity, equity, and inclusion in our schools and communities are not threats. Our state lawmakers should stop scapegoating immigrants and people of color for their inaction, and address the real needs of their constituents like funding high quality public education for all students and ensuring North Carolinians have access to healthcare and affordable housing. 

“It’s a blatant assault on the educational rights of North Carolinians and just the latest example of stripping academic freedoms from protected classes of students.” - Dr. James E. Ford, Executive Director of CREED.