Separation of powers Coverage

Power-shifting bill could replace NC Board of Transportation

Under the bill, a new transportation board would be appointed July 1, with the General Assembly's Republican majority gaining appointment powers at the governor's expense.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Former NC governors denounce proposed GOP power shifts

Multiple bills are moving, including one giving General Assembly leaders more control over the state's community college system, which is looking now for a new system president.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Senate passes bill shifting power from governor to General Assembly

Senate Bill 512 tinkers with appointments on nine boards, including the N.C. Utilities Commission, which sets electricity rates.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

Editorial: Don't grab power, share it

Wednesday, April 5, 2023 -- If this is more than a petty power-grab to upset the state' constitutionally mandated separation of powers between branches of state government, Sen. Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore will lead the effort to expand shared appointment powers to N.C. boards and commissions.

Bill to shift appointments, power, from governor to legislature on a fast track

The measure is one of several advancing at the statehouse intended to shift more control of state government away from the governor's office.

Travis Fain, WRAL state government reporter

NC Republicans look to strip governor of key appointments

Some boards that make key decisions in North Carolina would be controlled by legislative appointees instead of appointees from the governor.

Travis Fain WRAL state government reporter

Spate of bills the latest volleys in longtime power struggle between NC legislature and governor

Bills to limit a governor's ability to appoint members of the State Board of Education and fill vacancies on the Council of State and in the courts are part of a decade-long battle between North Carolina's lawmakers and its governors over who should run the state.

Laura Leslie, WRAL capitol bureau chief

House again takes up limits on governor's powers

House members debate limiting the governor's powers during extended emergencies and requiring people convicted of child pornography charges to pay restitution to victims.

Lawmakers again try to curb governor's power in long-running emergency

Senate Republicans took another swing at Gov. Roy Cooper on Wednesday, passing the latest bill that would rein in his authority during a lengthy emergency such as the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief, & Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Senate debates alcohol rules, executive powers, high school sports

The state Senate debates changes to North Carolina's alcohol regulations, a proposal to limit the governor's powers during an emergency and legislation that would alter the N.C. High School Athletics Association operations.

Judge rejects effort to halt Cooper's pandemic shutdown powers

A judge on Tuesday denied an injunction sought by Lt. Gov. Dan Forest to reopen sectors of the North Carolina economy that have been shut down for months to limit the spread of coronavirus.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Judge hears arguments in lawsuit over Cooper's shutdown powers

Lt. Gov. Dan Forest sued the governor, saying he needs more buy-in before he shuts down large swaths of the state economy.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

NC Appeals Court: Not up to judges how long legislative sessions take

Common Cause had challenged a quick 2016 session over separation of powers, saying it violated the people's constitutional right to weigh in.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Latest plan to overhaul elections board heads to Cooper

Lawmakers quickly approved Wednesday a proposal to split the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement in two, returning to the set-up the state had two years ago.

Laura Leslie, Capitol Bureau chief, & Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Lawmakers go back to future with proposed changes to elections board

After repeated lawsuits and court fights, Republican legislative leaders rolled out a proposal Tuesday to undo all of the changes they have made to the state elections board over the past two years.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

Cooper tries again to block two proposed amendments, Supreme Court denies fast track request

With the state facing a deadline this weekend to start printing ballots for the November election, Gov. Roy Cooper has asked the North Carolina Supreme Court to block two proposed constitutional amendments set to go before voters, arguing that they are misleading and would violate the separation of powers between the executive branch and the legislature.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor

2 proposed amendments back on ballot for now

The state Senate signed off on new ballot language Monday for a pair of constitutional amendments, bringing a brief and hastily called special legislative session to an end.

Senate finalizes new amendments language

Senate follows House, wraps up special session reworking amendments targeted by lawsuits.

Travis Fain, WRAL statehouse reporter

Senate weighs new amendment language

The Senate considers changing the wording of two proposed constitutional amendments that judges found to be misleading.

Amendments challenge delays printing of ballots for November election

A panel of three Superior Court judges on Wednesday ordered state elections officials to hold off printing ballots for the November election until the courts could weigh in on challenges brought by Gov. Roy Cooper to two proposed constitutional amendments.

Judges weigh challenge to four proposed amendments

A three-judge panel hears challenges by the NAACP and Clean Air Carolina to four proposed constitutional amendments.

Judges skeptical of challenges to proposed amendments

A panel of three Superior Court judges on Wednesday ordered state elections officials to hold off printing ballots for the November election until the courts could weigh in on challenges brought by Gov. Roy Cooper to two proposed constitutional amendments.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Ex-governors call proposed amendments legislative power grab

All five of North Carolina's living former governors came together Monday to urge voters to defeat two proposed constitutional amendments that would shift power from the executive branch to state lawmakers.

Amendments shifting power to legislature 'devious and mischievous,' former governors say

All five of North Carolina's living former governors came together Monday to urge voters to defeat two proposed constitutional amendments that would shift power from the executive branch to state lawmakers.

Matthew Burns, WRAL.com senior producer/politics editor, & Laura Leslie, WRAL Capitol Bureau chief

Former NC governors wary of proposed amendments

All five of North Carolina's living former governors will gather Monday to campaign against a pair of proposed constitutional amendments that would shift power from the governor to the legislature.