The outgoing Republican governor of North Carolina signed a measure into law Friday designed to limit the power of incoming Democratic governor Roy Cooper.
Gov. Pat McCrory’s move will combine the State Board of Elections and State Ethics Commission into one that it equally made up of Republicans and Democrats. The strategy will disable Cooper from beefing up either board with Democrats.
Cooper beat Gov. Pat McCrory in a battle that took well past Election Day to determine the winner. McCrory conceded last week after coming in 10,000 votes behind Cooper.
The Republican-controlled legislature approved the bill during a special session originally called to deal with post-hurricane financial relief. But the legislature introduced several measures during the session intended to limit Cooper’s power when he takes office next month.
The state Senate voted to approve another bill that would require all of Cooper’s Cabinet appointments to be confirmed by the Senate, making it tougher for him to take office with the men and women he wants by his side.
Cooper appeared on MSNBC Thursday, decrying state lawmakers for their “partisan power grab that goes far beyond political power.”
The last time North Carolina lawmakers called a special session was in March, when H.B. 2 was passed. The bill was one of the most controversial news topics of 2016, requiring men and women use the bathroom and locker room of the sex listed on their birth certificate.
