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Power Showdown Between NC Governor, Legislature In Court
Lawyers for Gov. Roy Cooper and the state's legislative leaders face off in court Tuesday over whether a series of new laws diminishing the governor's powers are constitutional.
A panel of three trial judges will determine the outcome, though its decision can be appealed in a process that could last months.
The challenged laws require Cooper's picks to run 10 state agencies be approved by the GOP-led Senate, strip the governor's control over running elections, slash his hiring options and give civil service protections to hundreds of political appointees of former Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.
Senate Confirms Cooper's First Cabinet Secretary
North Carolina legislators have confirmed a member of Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper's Cabinet for the first time, although the legal weight of the action remains unclear.
The Republican-controlled Senate voted unanimously Monday night to give its formal approval of Cooper's military and veterans affairs secretary — former state Rep. Larry Hall. The action ends a process delayed by court rulings, then accelerated by a Senate subpoena demanding Hall testify before a committee.
Penalties For 'Sanctuary' Polices Considered Again In House
North Carolina House members are taking a second look at legislation that would withhold some tax dollars from local governments if they are directing police to ignore the immigration status of suspects and others when performing their duties.
A House judiciary committee scheduled more debate Tuesday and a possible vote on a measure filed by several Republicans. It's designed to provide penalties to a 2015 state law prohibiting what are known as "sanctuary" policies. Groups representing cities and counties say they don't know of any locality that has such a policy.
House Wants Jail Time Mandated For Driving, Boating Deaths
Enough North Carolina House members agree people convicted of certain motor vehicle and boating crimes that result in death should be required to serve some time behind bars.
The chamber voted 84-32 Monday night for legislation addressing the felony crimes or death by motor vehicle and death by impaired boating. State law currently allows a judge to sentence a defendant with no previous record to probation.
Berger Adviser On Environmental Issues Going To UNC
The top policy adviser for Republican Senate leader Phil Berger on issues such as fracking, water quality and environmental issues has taken a new research job at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.
The North Carolina Policy Collaboratory announced that Jeffrey Warren became Monday the research director of the new entity created by the General Assembly last year. The office is designed to provide a method by which environmental research is sent directly to state and local governments for practical matters.
Elon University Distance Runner Hit By Car, Seriously Hurt
Police say a member of the Elon University cross country team was seriously injured after being struck by a car.
Elon Police spokesman Lt. Mark Sweat says that 19-year-old Molly Offstein of Frostburg, Maryland, was running on a local street around 7:30 a.m. Monday when she was struck by a car as she tried to cross at an intersection.
Sweat said the motorist had a green light.
Offstein, a freshman, is a member of the school's cross country team and is a distance runner on the track and field team.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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