Mar 07, 2007
House changes rules, hoping to curb abuses
Dan Kane - News & Observer

State House members on Tuesday approved changes in the way their chamber operates that they say will create a more open legislative process. They also said the new rules would curb some of the abuses of power that previous Speaker Jim Black used to aid special interests. 
 
But the changes did not satisfy many Republicans, who said the reforms did not go far enough to prevent a speaker from thwarting the will of the majority. 
 
The new rules passed by an 83-34 vote after several amendments offered by Republicans failed along mostly partisan lines. Democrats outnumber Republicans in the House, 68-52. 
 
The changes include preventing "special provisions" in the budget. These are major policy provisions that have little to do with the spending plan, and have often been slipped into the budget by legislators who know the measures would not pass otherwise. 
 
The practice gained particular infamy last month when Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, pleaded guilty to a federal charge of corruptly accepting things of value and admitted to accepting $29,000 in cash and a check from three chiropractors who wanted favorable legislation. 
 
Other changes include: 
* a ban on blank bills. Members use them to insert legislation at a later date, when their colleagues don't have time to review it. 
 
* a minimum one-day wait on a House vote on bills after they emerge from committees. 
 
* an end to "floaters," members that speakers have designated to serve on all committees. They have been used to stack the vote on bills before committees. 
 
* a requirement that the speaker consult with minority party leaders before making committee appointments.