Fracking Veto Overridden – due to accident and turncoat

The fracking bill, SB 820, is now law. The bill was adopted by the legislature, then vetoed by the governor. As expected, the Senate overrode the veto; but the House was expected, by a very close vote, to uphold the veto. 72 votes were required to pass the bill “notwithstanding the Governor’s objections”. It was expected that there would only be, at the most, 70 votes to pass the bill.

The House, however, because of an accidental vote and a turncoat, did pass the bill by 72 votes - the very amount needed to pass the bill.

The accidental vote was from Rep. Becky Carney. She was an opponent of fracking and a certain vote against it. However, when the House voted, just after 11pm, Rep. Carney hit the wrong button. Although many times a legislator presses the wrong button and is allowed to change the vote, she was not recognized and allowed to correct her mistake.

The turncoat was Rep. Susi Hamilton. Rep. Hamilton had just received the “Rising Star” award from the NC League of Conservation Voters for her environmental support. She, however, changed her mind about the environment and voted for the bill.