I attempted to be in the gallery for the Senate vote on SB 382 on Monday, but due to a miscommunication from Common Cause, I was late. I think we should be in the gallery for the House vote but our presence should be muted so as to allow the Republican members from mountain counties to vote their conscience without seeming to bow to our demands.
I think the argument that the General Assembly cannot alter the powers of the members of the Council of State that were in effect at the time that the people elected them might hold sway even with the Republicans on the North Carolina Supreme Court. If indeed the General Assembly has the power to radically reduce the executive powers of the members of the Council of State despite checks-and-balances considerations, such legislation should only apply to those offices following the subsequent statewide election. The people should have a clear understanding of the powers of the offices when they vote because that understanding could well affect their preferences.
I attempted to be in the gallery for the Senate vote on SB 382 on Monday, but due to a miscommunication from Common Cause, I was late. I think we should be in the gallery for the House vote but our presence should be muted so as to allow the Republican members from mountain counties to vote their conscience without seeming to bow to our demands.
I think the argument that the General Assembly cannot alter the powers of the members of the Council of State that were in effect at the time that the people elected them might hold sway even with the Republicans on the North Carolina Supreme Court. If indeed the General Assembly has the power to radically reduce the executive powers of the members of the Council of State despite checks-and-balances considerations, such legislation should only apply to those offices following the subsequent statewide election. The people should have a clear understanding of the powers of the offices when they vote because that understanding could well affect their preferences.