In a move that’s as heavy-handed, secretive, and obnoxious as anything that took place during the regimes of Marc Basnight and Jim Black, the GOP-led General Assembly may adjourn its redistricting session today so that it can reconvene tomorrow to begin voting on several amendments to the state constitution.
Which amendments? We don’t know, though CJ‘s David Bass lists a few possibilities here.
One of the most consequential actions any state legislature can undertake is a discussion of measures that would modify the state’s basic governing document — its constitution. Such changes should not be entered into lightly, or scheduled at a time that’s convenient for the members or their staffs. The deliberations should be conducted publicly, and with sufficient notice to allow everyday citizens to have their say before any formal vote is taken.
Instead, we have the prospect of more than a dozen possible amendments — some of which may never have been vetted in a legislative committee — going before the General Assembly and being rushed through to the 2012 general election ballot. To be sure, it’ll be more than a year before voters officially consider any of these measures, but that’s not the point. The public should be afforded the opportunity to consider proposed amendments in a deliberate manner before they’re anywhere near a ballot box.
Perhaps this cockamamie scheme will quickly and deservedly die. Even so, the GOP majority can’t take a mulligan and act as if the proposed quickie session wasn’t discussed. Honorables, you deserve all the scorn you’ll get because you brought it on yourselves.
UPDATE, 3:00 p.m. WRAL’s Laura Leslie tweets that Senate leader Phil Berger has said no amendments will be considered this week. A special session on amendments will convene Sept. 12.
