McCrory signs second measure whittling Cooper's power [View all]

RALEIGH -- North Carolina Republican Gov. Pat McCrory on Monday signed into law the second of two bills diminishing the authority of the incoming Democratic governor, but said he resisted efforts to weaken Roy Cooper even more.

Together, the new laws enable the Republican-controlled legislature to forcefully assert its constitutional power as the dominant branch of government.

Democrats and national political pundits called the legislature’s actions in last week’s special session a GOP “coup” aimed at nullifying Cooper’s narrow victory over McCrory in last month’s election. Hundreds of protesters stormed the Legislative Building on Thursday and Friday, leading to dozens of arrests. But McCrory on Monday downplayed the impact of the legislation.

He said he worked closely with legislative leaders to protect the separation of powers.

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