Republicans' Added Session: Unprecedented, Or Just Party Politics?

Plans by Republican lawmakers to limit the powers of incoming Governor Roy Cooper have drawn fire from Democrats. They call it a power grab and unconstitutional. But to others, it's all just part of North Carolina politics … and history. Governor-elect Cooper said in a press conference Thursday the legislature's moves are unprecedented. He even threatened a lawsuit. “If I believe that laws passed by the legislature hurt working families, and are unconstitutional, they will see me in court,” Cooper said. Some Democrats have questioned the legality of the special session itself, which began Wednesday, right after another special session on disaster relief. But Republicans are just playing politics, says WFAE political analyst Michael Bitzer of Catawba College. “Politically, is it something that Democrats will scream bloody murder about? Yes. From a constitutional and governing power system, it seems within the ability and the control of the Republicans to do so,” Bitzer said. Republicans