RALEIGH — The North Carolina General Assembly returns to work in earnest Wednesday for a budget-writing session that traditionally lasts until early summer. Exactly how long legislators will meet probably will depend on how well Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican-controlled House and Senate can work together.
Democratic gains in the November elections mean the GOP no longer has veto-proof control. The victories give Cooper and his allies more leverage in negotiating after Democrats have essentially been shut out since 2013.