RALEIGH, N.C. -- North Carolina's five living ex-governors have made a rare joint appearance to oppose two constitutional amendments proposed by lawmakers that they say would shred gubernatorial power and government checks and balances if approved. 

  • Former governors say two of the amendments swing powers to the legislature.
  • Gov. Roy Cooper did not take part in a news conference.
  • Cooper did sue last week to keep amendments off the ballot.

The three Democrats and two Republicans gathered Monday to urge voters to defeat the November referendums. Democrats Jim Hunt, Mike Easley and Beverly Perdue and Republicans Jim Martin and Pat McCrory served from 1977 through 2016. 

Current Gov. Roy Cooper also opposes the two amendments and has sued to prevent votes this November, saying the questions are so false and misleading as to be unconstitutional themselves.

The amendments would swing the power to appoint judges and state boards from the executive branch to the legislature.

Republican legislators argue they would promote transparency and clarify the legislature's powers. 

A three-judge panel hearing is scheduled for Wednesday to take up the issue.

 

 

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