RALEIGH, N.C. (WITN) - Calling it a “sham”, Gov. Roy Cooper has vetoed Senate Bill 382.

“This legislation was titled disaster relief but instead violates the constitution by taking appointments away from the next Governor for the Board of Elections, Utilities Commission and Commander of the NC Highway Patrol, letting political parties choose appellate judges and interfering with the Attorney General’s ability to advocate for lower electric bills for consumers,” Cooper said in his veto message.

The bill does provide $227 million in disaster relief for Western North Carolina, but critics say Republican lawmakers are also stripped power from the incoming governor and attorney general, both Democrats.

The General Assembly is expected to override Cooper’s veto before the end of the year. Republicans will lose their super majority when new lawmakers take office in January.