North Carolina GOP pushing to weaken Dem governor's power

http://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/310515-north-carolina-gop-aim-to-weaken-power-of-dem-governor

By Jennifer Calfas - 12/15/16

A group of Republicans in the North Carolina legislature is taking aim at reducing the power of the state’s newly elected Democratic governor.

The lawmakers called a surprise special session for the GOP-controlled General Assembly on Wednesday to introduce measures that would strip incoming Gov. Roy Cooper of vital capabilities, The News & Observer reported.

The group proposed measures to make Cabinet appointments subject to approval by the state Senate, strip the governor’s control over election boards and end the governor's ability to appoint members to the state Board of Education and the University of North Carolina’s board of trustees.

Both chambers in North Carolina have large Republican majorities. North Carolina's outgoing Republican governor, Pat McCrory, who conceded a loss to Cooper after challenging the results for a month, would have to sign the bills into law if passed by both chambers.

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