General Assembly Appoints Leaders At First Session Of The Year

The North Carolina General Assembly met Wednesday in Raleigh for its first session of the year.

It was a bit like orientation day at the statehouse – no major legislative business, but some pomp and circumstance and a little bit of organizing. The 170 legislators elected in November met to be sworn in and to vote on leadership.

House Speaker Tim Moore of Cleveland County and Senate Leader Phil Berger of Rockingham County were re-elected to their posts during the session.

This will be Moore's second two-year term as speaker and Berger's fourth as senate leader.

The question going forward is how the legislature will interact with new Democratic governor, Roy Cooper. Lawmakers have already passed rules restricting his power, and Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both the House and the Senate.

Legislative business will begin when the General Assembly reconvenes in two weeks.