North Carolina Governor Josh Stein vetoed four Republican-backed bills targeting diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives and transgender policies.

Stein called the DEI measures “mean-spirited” and divisive, criticizing them for marginalizing vulnerable groups while the legislature failed to pass a budget.

The bills would have banned DEI programs and funding in state and local governments.

The transgender bill, originally focused on age verification for adult websites, was amended to ban state-funded gender-affirming care for prisoners and enforce recognition of sex assigned at birth, Fox News has reported.

All four vetoed bills now return to the Republican-controlled General Assembly, which may try to override the vetoes but is one vote short of a House supermajority.

Written by B.C. Begley