A bill approved today by the Senate Rules Committee would eliminate and retool a number of key state boards and commissions. It would end members' terms on the Utilities Commission, Industrial Commission, and Coastal Resources Commission, among others. The bill's sponsor, Republican Senator Bill Rabon, says it will allow several key boards to be run by political appointees. Democratic Senator Josh Stein says the measure is a power grab.
"To fire the entire utilities commission, the entire industrial commission, so that you can put your own people on there who may not have any knowledge or expertise or background I think is very damaging to the state of North Carolina."
The bill would also get rid of 12 Special Superior Court judge positions beginning July first. And it would allow the governor to appoint the chairman of the State Board of Education. The measure could reach the Senate floor as early as tomorrow.
