The billboard industry is used to rolling over opposition in North Carolina. Now they’ve met a governor who won’t roll over.

Last week, Gov. Roy Cooper vetoed House Bill 645, the billboard industry’s latest effort to pass a “wish list” of legal changes favoring their interests over local governments, scenic beauty, and safe driving. In his veto message, Gov. Cooper said, “Protecting the beauty and environment of North Carolina should be a top priority, but this legislation authorizes cutting down trees and other clearing work along roadways without the consent of nearby communities. Local governments should have more of a say in where their communities allow billboards.”

Opponents like Scenic North Carolina pointed out the bill would allow billboard owners to clear trees on public rights of way without permission, to move billboards to new locations over the objection of local governments, and to convert thousands of billboards to changing, driver-distracting digital displays, regardless of any limits on those things in local laws. In general, the bill would elevate the rights of billboard owners over the interests of everyone else.

The legislation passed its final reading in the House by a vote of only 60-54, so if the opponents on that vote maintain their position, the veto will stand.

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