Gov. Roy Cooper recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed gyms, fitness centers and health clubs in North Carolina to reopen. | Pixabay
Gov. Roy Cooper recently vetoed a bill that would have allowed gyms, fitness centers and health clubs in North Carolina to reopen. | Pixabay
State House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said the governor cares more about control when he vetoed legislation that would have allowed gyms and bars to reopen generally under the same rules as other operations.
The House's top official posted his comments to his legislative website on June 19. "Once again, the Governor shows that he prioritizes his own power," Moore wrote, "over the livelihoods or responsible small business owners and families across North Carolina."
Fitness centers were preparing to reopen under Phase 2 of the governor's plan but were unexpectedly forced to remain closed, Moore posted. In response, gym owners across the state filed lawsuits against the governor's administration.
The vetoed bill would also have revised an outdoor seating policy and allowed dining and beverage establishments to be treated equally, Moore posted. The governor's current executive order allows restaurants to operate indoor and outdoor seating areas at 50% of capacity. To allay the governor's fears, House Bill 594 gave the governor power to re-close beverage and dining services with approval from the Council of State.
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