NC Legislature Calls Mystery Special Session With Just Hours Notice

[struggle4progress]

CAITLIN MACNEAL
Published DECEMBER 14, 2016, 2:30 PM EDT

The North Carolina state general assembly on Wednesday called an impromptu special session, but lawmakers did not specify what legislation they would convene to discuss.

State lawmakers finished up a different special session on Wednesday after passing disaster relief legislation, which was the initial reason lame duck Gov. Pat McCrory (R) called the session this week, according to the News and Observer. Then the legislature immediately went into the mystery special session.

Senate leader Phil Berger (R) announced the surprise session midday, which was convened by the legislature, not McCrory. However, he would not say what legislation lawmakers would consider, and the proclamation establishing the impromptu special session stated that the general assembly would consider "bills concerning any matters the General Assembly elects to consider" ...

The mystery special session follows speculation that North Carolina Republicans could use a special session to expand the number of seats on the state Supreme Court before McCrory left office. In the November election, the court flipped to Democratic control. By adding two seats to the court, legislators would give McCrory the ability to appoint two conservative justices before he leaves office, restoring the Republican majority ...

http://talkingpointsmemo.com/livewire/north-carolina-mystery-special-session

[yeoman6987]

1. Repugs are snakes

The Democratic Party needs to fight like this. Yes it's morally reprehensible what repugs do, but what has it gotten the Democratic Party being for having integrity? Not a thing except only six states with full majority of leadership. Sorry I know it sucks but we need to start getting dirty before we literally only have California as a majority. It can happen. Whoever would have thought New York would have one part of government as repug majority? New York???? Good grief.

[Rex]

2. Our party works for the people, their party works for the advancement of republican

dogma. Their party is anti-democracy. I hope enough people figure that out before it is too late.

[gratuitous]

3. I'd bet its the supreme court thing

Gotta pack the court before McCrory skulks out of town.

Another test for Republicans: Party over principle, or honor the will of the people? No clear favorite. Some Republicans might stick to principle out of fear of voter wrath, but they'll sell out principle in a heartbeat if they're more fearful of Art Pope.

[KamaAina]

4. Court packing?

Boy, did they hate that when FDR tried it.