Republicans in the North Carolina General Assembly voted in favor of House Bill 307, known as Iryna’s Law, sending the bill to Gov. Josh Stein’s desk. The bill further tightens pre-trial release conditions, including the addition of a new “violent offense” category and a highly controversial amendment that would allow ‘alternative’ methods of execution, such as electrocution and firing squads, if lethal injection is unavailable.
The fast-tracking of the bill comes at a time when state Republicans have failed to pass a budget that addresses rising healthcare costs and raises for state employees. The looming Medicaid cuts, set to take effect on Oct. 1, have major implications for providers and patients if a state budget is not reached.
According to ABC 11, healthcare providers wouldn’t receive the same Medicaid reimbursements they’re currently getting, meaning significant uncertainty for the 3 million North Carolinians who rely on Medicaid for health care access.
“This will lead to longer wait times, delayed diagnoses, and worse health outcomes for the patients of our state, especially for those who live in rural communities and who are already marginalized and underserved,” Dr. Jenna Beckham told ABC 11.
The Republicans’ continued inaction on passing a state budget comes at the cost of pushing through harmful culture war bills that do nothing to address the rising costs that North Carolinians are grappling with every day, House minority leader Rep. Robert Reives told WRAL.
The Path to True Public Safety
Advocates and Democrats have condemned state Republicans for their “political gamesmanship”, as the crime bill attempts to tackle safety concerns without addressing the underlying factors. Earlier in September, Democratic lawmakers called for a proposal that increases funding to public safety personnel, including police officers, as well as provides new investments to the mental health system.
“This is a bill where we could have had a bipartisan movement together to actually make our community safer, and it was hijacked for political gain, and that is a huge disappointment, “Senate Minority Leader Sydney Batch, D-Wake, told the press following last week’s session.
North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has already taken steps to improve public safety by incorporating recommendations into his proposed state budget. His key priorities include:
- Supporting public safety personnel: Investing $87 million in funding to help recruit and retain additional law enforcement officers by providing pay increases and recruitment and retention bonuses.
- Addressing mental health needs: Expanding co-response team models to rural counties across North Carolina. The model has been effective in supporting individuals in crisis and connecting them with the appropriate behavioral health services.
- Distributing body cameras: The governor’s budget proposes funding to provide more than 3,300 additional public safety officers with cameras to enhance accountability, transparency, and public trust.
Without proper funding for public safety personnel, violence prevention strategies, and other accountability measures, state lawmakers cannot deliver the safety communities across the state deserve.
With lawmakers slated to be in Raleigh for a full week each month through the end of the year, many are urging leaders to pass a state budget that invests in North Carolinians and programs that make communities safer.
