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N.C. Lawmakers Look To Other States For Leadership Model

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RALEIGH, N.C. — The state House is entering uncharted waters asits members negotiate a co-speaker arrangement after failing toelect a leader.

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Are co-speakers a good idea?

After six votes, the chamber's 60 Democrats and 60 Republicanscouldn't agree on a speaker on Wednesday or Thursday. They went home for the weekend to consider a proposal that the parties share all leadership positionsequally for the next two years.

Lawmakers are turning to other states with split chambers todetermine which leadership models work and which don't.

A Republican proposal would have a Democrat - incumbent SpeakerJim Black of Mecklenburg - and a Republican, likely Rep.George Holmes of Yadkin County, serving as co-speakers. Each wouldpreside alternately at floor sessions.

Black said his team will look at the proposal over the weekend.But both sides now have more time to form a coalition that wouldavoid the need for co-speakers.

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