General Assembly adjourns with no movement on judicial reform
For years the Republican-led General Assembly has been trying to take control of the courts. They made judicial elections partisan. They canceled the primary election for judges. And, most recently, have attempted to gerrymander the judicial districts and even do away with the election of judges altogether. North Carolinians made it clear how they felt about these plans with town halls, demonstrations, calls, emails, and petitions. Thanks in large part to pressure from the public the NCGA has adjourned with no further legislation attacking the courts. This is a victory for the fair courts movement and for North Carolina. Public pressure works.
The North Carolina General Assembly is officially on hiatus for the next three months, as long as the courts or a veto by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper doesn’t force them back.
The House and Senate adjourned Tuesday with both chambers approving a resolution they won’t return to Raleigh for votes again until May 16.
Lawmakers left behind on Cooper’s desk one bill – a wide-ranging proposal that creates a solution for school districts and new class-size limits next fall. But it also includes items involving the state elections and ethics board and a proposed natural gas pipeline many Democrats aren’t happy about.
A court also could rule elections board changes don’t comply with a state Supreme Court opinion, forcing lawmakers to return.
The General Assembly adjourned without addressing competing House and Senate measures involving the chemical called GenX.
