A unanimous three-judge panel of the N.C. Court of Appeals has affirmed a lower court’s ruling against magistrates in their salary dispute with the state. The magistrates had challenged decisions made by the General Assembly — under both Democratic and Republican leaders — to suspend automatic pay hikes known as “step increases.” Appellate judges agreed with the trial court that lawmakers had the authority to suspend the “step increases.”
by Mitch Kokai
Senior Political Analyst, John Locke Foundation