Legislative Watch: Legislators Return January 11

January 9, 2017

Legislative Watch: Legislators Return January 11

We’re not especially happy to note that the General Assembly will return to Raleigh for its regular “long session” of 2017 beginning this Wednesday, January 11.

The new session promises to be an especially contentious one. The returning legislative leadership has already declared open war against the new governor through its expansive powers-stripping legislation passed in December’s special session. No shrinking violet himself, the new governor filed legal action to stop some of the worst provisions of that legislation (see this week’s “Judicial Watch” post), and the courts thus far have agreed with him.

We expect the lines on environmental protection to be especially sharp between Governor Cooper and the State Senate leadership team headed by Phil Berger. Confirmation hearings on DEQ Secretary-nominee Michael Regan may be just one of the early flashpoints, as the Governor’s push for protecting public health clashes with the State Senate’s priority on protecting polluters.

Meanwhile, a federal appeals panel refused to delay its own order that this legislative session draw new district maps no later than March for special elections later this year. Environmental and other public interest advocates hope that new district lines will make many more legislative contests competitive, providing an opportunity for real public impact on who controls the NC General Assembly.