North Carolina Governor Stein Declines Appeal Losing Highway Patrol Control Case

North Carolina Governor Josh Stein has decided not to appeal a trial court ruling regarding Senate Bill 382, which restricts his authority over the State Highway Patrol commander. The law, passed by the Republican-controlled legislature in a lame-duck session before Stein took office, requires the governor to retain the current commander, Colonel Freddy Johnson, effectively limiting Stein's ability to remove or replace him without legislative approval. Stein initially challenged the provision, citing concerns over public safety and accountability, fearing the commander could remain in position even if refusing to perform duties or abusing power. Although the court dismissed Stein's case, ruling the provision was not unconstitutional, it acknowledged the governor's authority to remove a commander if necessary. Stein expressed confidence in Colonel Johnson's leadership and views the court's ruling as a partial win, as it did not fully endorse making the commander unremovable. Despite dropping this appeal, Stein continues to pursue other legal challenges against the legislature's measures that reduce gubernatorial powers in areas such as the Utilities Commission and Board of Elections.