NC lawmakers returning to decide on veto overrides

The North Carolina General Assembly is returning to work Tuesday to consider whether to override Gov. Pat McCrory's first two vetoes.

Posted 8:01 a.m. Sep 3, 2013 — Updated 2:11 p.m. Sep 3, 2013

RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina General Assembly is returning to work Tuesday to consider whether to override Gov. Pat McCrory's first two vetoes.

The legislature is scheduled to reconvene in Raleigh at midday Tuesday, more than five weeks after it adjourned for the year.

The state constitution required McCrory to call legislators back when he issued the vetoes. Watch Tuesday's special session live on WRAL.com this afternoon.

Republican lawmakers say they're poised to override two vetoes by McCrory – one on legislation that would require drug testing for those seeking certain kinds of welfare and another on a bill expanding the definition of "seasonal labor" that don't need an immigration status check.

Both measures passed the House and Senate by wide margins, and legislative leaders say they expect lawmakers to pass the bills despite the governor's objections.

If all members are present and voting, that would require 72 votes in the 120-member House and 30 votes in the 50-member Senate.

Although the special legislative session is expected to convene formally at noon, the House isn't expected to take action until late afternoon. House Republicans say they expect to hold a caucus – a closed-door meeting among members of the same party – around 3 p.m. Tuesday.

They do not anticipate taking up the vetoes until 4 p.m. or after. It is unclear whether the Senate will wait for the House to take action Tuesday night or come into session on Wednesday morning to handle the bills.

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