Double Encore

As if the previous two were not enough, the NCGA is returning to town next Monday to take another curtain call.

Yes… it’s not over yet.

The primary political reason for the session is to attempt to get a number of constitutional amendments on upcoming ballots for approval by voters.  However, the GA also has to deal with unfinished business of redistricting, tying up a bunch of loose ends for next year, and even possibly try for another veto override or two. Here’s a quick preview:

Constitutional Amendments

In simplified terms, there are two steps to ratifying a constitutional amendment in NC – 1) a three-fifth’s vote in both the House and Senate in favor of the amendment and 2) a simple majority of the public voting to approve it during a regularly-scheduled election.

Thus far, 22 constitutional amendments have been introduced this session and all would be eligible for debate in September.  The rules for session also seem to allow the introduction of new constitutional amendments at that time, so more could be on the way (the rules were just changed last month, so no one really understands what they actually mean).  Three amendments have already passed the House: HB 8, limiting the use of eminent domain; HB 61, putting term limits on legislative leaders; and HB 823, restructuring the State Board of Education.  They need to pass the Senate to be eligible to be placed on the November ballot.

A likely headliner for September is an amendment to prohibit same-sex marriages, two versions of which have already been introduced.  The perennial effort to change the manner of selecting judges, already the subject of several proposed amendments this session, might get attention again.  There are two proposals to take redistricting out of the hands of the legislature and give it to an independent commission.  In addition, there are various proposals for term limits, restrictions on budget growth and new taxes, open meetings, English as the official state language, and so on.

There will be vicious battles around all of these, and the politics of which bills will come up and when is subject to all kinds of last-minute maneuvering. The Democratic caucus has already been warned that they have to be in the chamber at full force at all times to prevent some trickery – hopefully they will heed that warning.

 Redistricting

The congressional maps were approved last session, but there are still some local maps that have to be approved. The GA can also use this time to make changes in response to any litigation against the maps, which there will be by this point. We still don’t have much more information than to say that changes will happen – we’ll keep you posted.

 Veto Overrides

Due to some fancy legislative maneuvering during the previous two sessions, R’s can attempt to override almost all of the remaining vetoed bills.  Of chief concern is the HB 351, the voter ID bill and HB 854, the abortion restriction bill, but there are almost a dozen more. If this is attempted, it will be a fast maneuver, probably late at night when members are likely to be out of the chamber. The D caucus is aware of the possibility, and will (hopefully) take steps to insure the best possible defense.  But don’t be surprised if they prevail on at least one of them.

Committee meeting started a few weeks ago, so there has been some action behind the scenes on many of these items.  Let’s hope they do this all quickly and go home. For good.

Related Posts:

• Committee Worry
• It’s Called Public for a Reason
• Seasonal Adjustment
• In the Heat of the Night
• Lost