Lewis: Judicial reforms may not fly in January session

Lewis, R-Harnett, a key leader in the House, said legislators haven't coalesced behind proposals to redraw election districts for judges or to move instead to an appointments system. There has been a divide between the House and the Senate on this, but there also are indications House Republicans aren't all on board with proposed new districts for judges, which could prove important given the possibility of veto from Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper.

"If we can't get agreement, and that was one of the main things we were going to do, it may be a very short session," Lewis said.

He also said there's no plan, at the moment, to approve potential constitutional amendments during the coming session. That would include a voter ID proposal.

A planned leadership conference call should soon firm up what legislators will focus on, Lewis said. The session itself, "may be a day, may be a week," he said.

The House approved new judicial election maps in October, kicking the issue to the Senate. Members in both chambers have discussed moving to an appointment system instead, though, which would require a constitutional change, at least to alter selection methods for the Supreme Court, Court of Appeals and Superior Courts. Changing the constitution requires a statewide voter referendum.

"I think everything's on the table at the moment," he said.

Attempts Friday to reach state senators working on judicial redistricting were not successful. Neither were attempts to reach Rep. Justin Burr, R-Stanly, the legislature's most vocal advocate for judicial redistricting and sponsor of potential new maps.

Lewis said he'd hoped judicial reforms would be further along, particularly since appointment proposals have had bipartisan support in the past. Democrats have criticized the Republican push for both reform and redistricting proposals, accusing the majority of trying to ratchet up GOP representation in the state's courts, even while acknowledging the need for at least some changes.