At least 113 of 170 state lawmakers have declined pay for all or part of the legislative mini-session last week, making the no-vote lawmaking session cheaper but not cost-free.
The legislature returned Thursday to Raleigh for a three-day session scheduled in November to deal with redistricting matters. With no action to consider, House Speaker Thom Tillis urged lawmakers not to attend - and defer compensation.
But more than 80 House lawmakers and two dozen senators came to Raleigh, including many Democrats who didn't believe Tillis' promise not to take any action, given how the speaker engineered a special session after midnight in January.
For the Thursday session, 51 House members and 13 senators declined the $104 salary for the day, according to the legislative financial services division. Those numbers included Tillis and House Democratic leader Joe Hackney. But other top Democrats and Republicans were compensated, such as Democratic Sen. Josh Stein and Republican House leaders Paul "Skip" Stam and Ruth Samuelson.
Only one House and one Senate member were paid Friday, when no action took place. And 111 deferred compensation Saturday when the session ended with just a skeleton crew.
More lawmakers are expected to file paperwork declining the pay. But much of the $50,000-a-day session cost is built into the process, including staff and security.
A total cost for the three-day session is not yet available.
No tax returns for now
Democratic Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton suggested Tuesday that he wouldn't release his tax returns, even though his political party is asking Republican Pat McCrory to do so.
After the official launch of his gubernatorial campaign, Dalton said McCrory's situation is different. "There has been some question ... about whether he is a lobbyist or not," he said. "I don't know of any questions" about his own record.
At the same time, Dalton left the door open to reassess the situation. "We'll look at that as it goes along," he said.
Election office shuffle
A busted pipe forced the evacuation of the State Board of Elections office on Harrington Street as candidates file paperwork to run for office.
Gary Bartlett, the executive director, said a pipe burst under the floor and flooded the back part of the office. The water was too close to the transformer for comfort, forcing fire officials to evacuate the building Tuesday morning.
The state's elections agency just moved offices to 441 N. Harrington St. - but now the flood has forced the agency back to its old confines, a block down the street.
House to lose 2 Democrats
Two big departures of Forsyth County Democrats from the state House were announced Tuesday: N.C. Rep. Larry Womble won't run for re-election while he recovers from a devastating car crash, and Rep. Earline Parmon will run for state Senate.
Parmon will run for the seat vacated by Sen. Linda Garrou, who is also a Democrat.
Womble said he has to focus on recovering from the accident Dec. 2 in Winston-Salem. The driver of the other car in the two-car collision was killed.
Womble, 70, a nine-term legislator, made his announcement by telephone at a news conference that Parmon called.
House Minority Leader Joe Hackney released a statement: "Rep. Womble built a career in Raleigh based on reconciliation. For years, he has led the General Assembly's efforts to recognize and compensate people who were wrongfully sterilized under a state-sponsored eugenics program. He championed the Racial Justice Act, a law that seeks to keep racial bias from influencing death penalty decisions in our courtrooms. He has been a steady, consistent voice for fair and equal treatment of all people. I know that I am among many people who regret that he is not able to continue his work because of his health, but understand that he needs to focus on recovering and wish him well."
Staff writers John Frank and Craig Jarvis
