Republican state lawmakers are moving ahead on a sixth proposed constitutional amendment that would once again restructure the State Board of Elections and Ethics Enforcement. It would also, sponsors say, put an end to long-running litigation over the boundaries of executive and legislative power in the state constitution. Critics of the proposal, unveiled late Friday, say it’s setting the scene for legislators to take away the governor’s traditional appointments to many of the state’s quasi-judicial oversight boards and commissions. Supporters counter that the legislature already has ultimate delegating power over all appointments to all state boards and commissions that set policy. However, courts have not always agreed.
The measure was scheduled for a House vote Monday evening. If it’s approved by three-fifths of the House and the Senate, it would be on the ballot in November.
Under the first portion of the proposed amendment, the elections board would have eight members, half to be appointed by House and Senate majority leaders and the other half by House and Senate minority leaders. No more than four members could be of the same party.
Gov. Roy Cooper would have no power to appoint any of the members.
Full Article: Lawmakers seek amendment to settle elections board court fight :: WRAL.com.