After a contentious trip through the North Carolina General Assembly, a bill banning masks in public, with some exceptions, and a campaign finance provision, is set to become law.  

At the end of June Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 237, “various criminal and election law changes” citing concerns over the mask ban, but more vehemently opposing the campaign finance section which would allow federal contributions to North Carolina candidates and dark money. 

“This legislation creates a gaping loophole for secret, unlimited campaign money in the middle of an election year,” Cooper said in a press release. “While voters are kept in the dark, this scheme allows anonymous out-of-state billionaires to flood North Carolina with campaign contributions to rescue extreme right-wing candidates that Republicans now fear will lose. The legislation also removes protections and threatens criminal charges for people who want to protect their health by wearing a mask.”