Some North Carolina Republicans want to repeal a 2017 law that reduces the number of Court of Appeals judges from 15 to 12 as retirements and other vacancies arise.
A state Senate judiciary committee Tuesday voted unanimously to keep the court’s size at 15.
Bill sponsors say approving the measure should end a lawsuit filed by Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper challenging the law. The state Supreme Court scheduled oral arguments in the case for early next month. A trial-judge panel actually sided with Republicans last year. Registered Democrats comprise a majority on the Supreme Court.
The law is one of several approved by the GOP-dominated legislature that eroded Cooper’s powers because it prevents him from filling three vacancies when they occur. No vacancies have occurred since the law took effect.
Comments on Chapelboro are moderated according to our Community Guidelines