Cooper signs SB 473

RALEIGH — Gov. Roy Cooper signed a local government accountability bill into law Thursday.

"Taxpayers deserve accountability and transparency from all public officials," Cooper said of Senate Bill 473.

The bill passed the Senate by a 42-6 vote in May. It’s sponsored by state Sen. Lisa Barnes, R-Nash.

State Rep. James Gailliard, D-Nash, was one of four Democrats to vote for the bill when it passed 64-44 in the House on Nov. 29.

The bill received outspoken bipartisan support from State Auditor Beth Wood, a Democrat, and State Treasurer Dale Folwell, a Republican. (Read more)