Balance: General Assembly holds strongest hand in Raleigh

The North Carolina General Assembly has held the most powerful hand in Raleigh for as long as we can remember, so it comes as no surprise that the current Republican-dominated legislative body has been wielding so much power of late.

Last week the Legislature overrode another of Gov. Roy Cooper's vetoes, this one of a bill that creates even-numbered local election boards, meaning it takes away the century-old right of the governor to appoint two out of three members. A court later ruled the override unconstitutional, but don't think legislators are finished.

The Legislature had already overridden a veto by Cooper that would have killed a bill making elections for trial court judges partisan. It would seem that the House and Senate are in a position to defy him at every turn.

We are not sure that having one branch of government so powerful is a good idea. That it is why it is important that the judicial branch step in and exert its power, to keep the legislative branch from becoming a bully. Excessive power isn't a good thing, no matter who wields it.

We support our local legislators in their efforts to improve the state. We voted for

them and believe for the most part that they are on the right track. But it is imperative to keep government balanced, no matter what.

No one body should have its way without checks and balances.

Published in Editorials on May 1, 2017 9:52 AM