Weaker GOP seeks bipartisanship in General Assembly

The General Assembly convened its 2019 session on Wednesday with the usual amount of pomp and ceremony, as well as promises to reach across the aisle from Republican legislative leaders.

The GOP has ruled the legislature without having to seek support from Democratic members for the past six years, but the party lost its super-majorities in both the House and the Senate in November. So, the 2019 session is likely to involve more negotiations between Republicans and Democrats, as well as between lawmakers and Gov. Roy Cooper, on policy proposals and spending priorities.

Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger and House Speaker Tim Moore appealed for lawmakers to work together more and snipe at each other less this year.

"I’m hopeful that now we can put political battles behind us and find common ground in advancing our shared interest in helping North Carolina continue to grow and prosper," Berger, R-Rockingham, told his Senate colleagues shortly after being elected unanimously to a fifth two-year term as the chamber's leader.

"Whether we pass more legislation with bipartisan buy-in or simply retreat to our corners remains to be seen. I, for one, extend a hand to legislative Democrats and to Governor Cooper," he said. "Let’s work together in good faith, and let’s find those places where sometimes-elusive common ground exists."

Moore, R-Cleveland, who was named House speaker for a third term in a mostly party-line vote, likewise sought to bridge the divide in his opening statement.

"We all want to make North Carolina the very best place in the nation," he said. "Together we will find a balanced path of consensus to tackle tough problems. Serious and bipartisan solutions are needed to confront difficult issues. Our constituents are counting on us to find a fix. Let’s search for the middle ground, instead of the high ground, bring coalitions together to achieve reform, negotiate in good faith for the good of our state, reach across the aisle to achieve change [and] endeavor for the truly possible, instead of the political."

Making schools safer, improving student performance, raising teacher salaries, boosting the state economy and recovering from last fall's hurricanes and preparing better for future storms were among the issues the leaders cited as areas where Republicans and Democrats could work together.

"I think it's accurate to say that, for us to truly be able to say that we're working together, both sides have to move," Berger told reporters after the session.

Cooper said Tuesday that he has met with GOP legislative leaders once in recent weeks but said they have discussed having regular meetings while the General Assembly is in session.

"We know that there will be forced negotiations and forced consensus, and sometimes that can be a good thing," he said. "I think we have a road to get there on a lot of issues."

The House and the Senate adjourned until Jan. 30 to give leaders time to set up committees and lawmakers a chance to start drafting and filing proposed bills.