North Carolina Republicans are scrambling to shore up the authority they have before next year when they will not have their supermajority status to thwart moves by Democratic leaders in the state. The Tar Heel State has been a reliably Republican bastion for state lawmakers, but voters have been happy to split their tickets and send Democrats to the governor's mansion. Next year, Republicans will continue to control the state House and Senate , but in smaller majorities that will not guarantee their ability to override the governor 's vetoes.
With their own power waning, lawmakers are pushing through plans now to curtail the powers Gov.-elect Josh Stein (D-NC) will have next year. The 131-page bill was made public just an hour before the House met to debate it.
While still awaiting passage by the Senate, the bill would take away the governor's power to appoint a leader of the state highway patrol and curtail his authority to pick replacements for departing judges. The legislation would mandate the governor choose between three nominees of the departing judge's political party. In addition, it will eliminate the job of two judges who have ruled against lawmakers.
But at the heart of the bill, Republicans are hoping to gain control of the state election board. The five-person board is appointed by the governor, whose party always holds three seats. Under the new bill, it would become the responsibility of the state auditor — a position held by Republican Dave Boliek.
In 2018.
