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North Carolina GOP negotiations likely next to curb appointment powers of Gov. Roy Cooper

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RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — North Carolina House and Senate Republicans are likely headed to negotiations over how to retool the composition of several key state commissions controlled by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper’s appointees after the House approved its version of the changes on Wednesday.

Both the House proposal and a version OK’d by the Senate in April would shift the makeup of a handful of panels by giving more seats to those picked by legislators and Council of State members, and even to legislators themselves.

Differences between the competing plans will need to be worked out if they want to send a final bill to Cooper’s desk.

Cooper and his allies have called the proposed reworking of appointments to commissions like those setting electricity rates and approving road-building projects and environmental regulations an unconstitutional power grab.

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They cite state court rulings going back 40 years on the separation of powers between the governor and the General Assembly. Cooper and GOP legislators have previously fought in court over control of commissions as well.

While Republicans hold veto-proof majorities in both chambers, lawmakers shepherding the bill acknowledge litigation may be coming if a final measure is enacted. Still, they believe the courts will be on their side, and argue any changes will bring more accountability and diversity of thought on important boards dominated by the governor’s picks.

The differences between the two versions settle in a few areas.

The Senate version would reduce the seven members on the state Utilities Commission — all Cooper’s picks — to five, and let future governors pick only two of the positions. The House version makes no such changes.

The House proposal would increase the number of voting members the General Assembly elects to the University of North Carolina Board of Governors from 24 to 28. The Senate makes no such changes. The General Assembly passed legislation during the 2010s to reduce Board of Governors membership from 32 to 24.

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Both chambers’ plans would let the Legislature pick 14 of the 20 seats on the Board of Transportation, with the other six appointed by the governor. Currently it’s the governor who chooses 14 members.

But the House plan would replace the 20 members with new appointees starting July 1. The Senate would have allowed members to complete their terms.

Like the passage of the Senate legislation, the House approved its legislation on a party-line vote favoring the GOP.



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North Carolina

Vote: Who Should Be the North Carolina Boys High School Basketball Player of the Week? (1/20/2025)

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Vote: Who Should Be the North Carolina Boys High School Basketball Player of the Week? (1/20/2025)


Who was the North Carolina Boys Basketball Player of the Week last week?

Each week, High School On SI scours the state of North Carolina and compiles the top performances from the previous week.

Congratulations to last week’s winner: Jalin Sutton of Greene Central.

Voting closes at 11:59 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26. The winner will be announced in the following week’s poll. Here are this week’s nominees:

The 6-foot-5 junior guard scored 26 points on 9-of-13 shooting, grabbed 7 rebounds and blocked 4 shots in the Sabres’ 71-63 win over Myers Park. Houpt also had 15 points in a 65-56 win over White Oak.

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Kerr, a top 100 national recruit, scored 24 points as the Cougars toppled nationally ranked and previously undefeated Christ School 73-66. The 6-foot-4 junior guard has 10 college offers.

Charles scored 27 points and got 8 rebounds in a 56-42 win over Southside. The 6-foot-4 senior also had 22 points, 8 rebounds and 4 assists in an 84-38 rout of Pamlico County.

Blow scored 17 points and got 6 rebounds in a 67-59 victory over Ayden-Grifton. 

Barron scored 19 points while getting 7 steals and 5 assists in a 77-57 victory over Northwest Halifax.

Edwards posted 27 points, 8 rebounds and 8 assists in an 89-39 romp over Wayne Christian. He also had 17 points in an 84-57 win over First Flight.

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Brewer dominated with 34 points, 9 rebounds, 7 assists and 4 steals in a 66-48 win over Pisgah.

Parkins erupted for 39 points, tying a career high, in a 90-66 win over Asheville. The 6-foot-7 senior also had 17 rebounds. He had 27 points and 13 rebounds in an 81-65 win over Erwin.

Brown scored 30 points and had 5 rebounds in an 84-80 overtime win over Tuscola. In addition, he had 21 points in a 59-45 loss to East Henderson.

Fannon scored 31 points, including 9-of-14 from 3-point range, as the Mustangs beat St. Stephens 93-70.



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North Carolina Democratic state lawmaker resigns after terminal cancer diagnosis

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North Carolina Democratic state lawmaker resigns after terminal cancer diagnosis


RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — A longtime Wake County Democratic state representative announced his resignation from the North Carolina General Assembly on Sunday.

Rep. Joe John, who represented northwestern Wake County, shared news of his resignation in a letter posted to his Facebook page, after he said he received a terminal diagnosis for throat cancer from his doctors. John, 85, first stated publicly that he was diagnosed with throat cancer in early December.

“I hope my legacy will be one of dedication to the common good — working to build bridges, advocate for the voiceless, and fight for justice,” he said.

John was first elected as a state representative in 2016 and served four consecutive terms. His upcoming term would have been his fifth. Before serving in the legislature, John spent a large portion of his life in the judicial field — as a state appeals judge, superior court judge and district judge. He also served as the State of North Carolina Crime Laboratory’s director.

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The Wake County Democratic Party will be in charge of choosing someone to fill John’s vacant seat.

John said in his letter that he plans to focus on his health and spend time with his family after resigning.

“If my time in office has made even a small difference in your lives, then I will leave this world knowing I’ve done my part,” John said.





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How will NC industries be impacted with Trump in office?

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Republican President-elect Donald Trump returns to the White House on Monday, vowing swift action on a host of issues that could impact nearly every American — and could have a particularly profound effect on North Carolina’s economy.

Reporter : Kelsey Coffey
Photographer : Mark Olexik
Web Editor : Jessica Patrick

Posted 2025-01-20T07:13:38-0500 – Updated 2025-01-20T07:13:38-0500



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