North Carolina lawmakers OK'd dozens of bills in late June, including another attempt to reopen gyms and fitness centers. | Stock Photo
North Carolina lawmakers OK'd dozens of bills in late June, including another attempt to reopen gyms and fitness centers. | Stock Photo
From a state senator retiring to another attempt from lawmakers to force the governor to reopen exercise facilities, legislators approved 60 bills during the last full week of June ahead of the recess that started on July 11.
Longtime Sen. Jerry Tillman (R-Randolph) informed his fellow lawmakers that at the end of June he would retire, the Carolina Journal reported. The 18-year Senator held leadership roles including chairman of committees and the majority whip.
"It has been a pleasure serving the people that I have been so honored to represent over the years," Tillman said, the North State Journal reported in June. "My greatest joy in serving has always come from helping people with their everyday needs."
A candidate will be nominated to take his place on the November ballot, the Carolina Journal reported.
Sen. Rick Gunn (R-Alamance) is persistent. The Republican legislator is trying for a third time to persuade Gov. Roy Cooper to sign legislation that will allow gyms and fitness centers to reopen for business, the Carolina Journal reported.
In Cooper's Phase 2 reopening plan, gyms and fitness centers were originally scheduled to return to business in a limited format, however, the governor reversed course and kept the exercise facilities closed. Republicans have tried multiple times to get Cooper to support reopening the fitness businesses but to no avail.
The latest bill calls on reopening health and fitness centers following health, sanitation and safety standards and removes the requirement that Cooper needs Council of State approval if he decided to close those operations, the Carolina Journal reported.
Though lawmakers removed the Council of State regulation in the original bills about reopening gyms and fitness centers, legislation was proposed that serves as a check on the governor's authority, the Carolina Journal reported. Senate lawmakers proposed legislation that requires the governor to obtain Council of State approval within 48 of issuing a statewide emergency declaration.
Alerts Sign-up