John Wester Discusses Constitutional Amendments with Observer

The Charlotte Observer recently featured an article discussing the implications of six proposed amendments to the North Carolina State Constitution that will be voted on by constituents this fall. Some of the amendments seek to limit the power of the governor and instead transfer select powers to the state legislature.

John Wester, a litigator at Robinson Bradshaw, served as lead attorney for three North Carolina governors in a case that dealt with similar constitutional issues and was decided by the state Supreme Court in 2016 in favor of the governors. Wester shared his thoughts on the pending amendments with the Observer.

"If this measure passes and the public accepted it I believe you would transform the governor’s constitutional duty to faithfully execute the laws into an elongated episode of 'May I,'" said Wester.

Read "NC governor doesn't have much power — and could get weaker: 'He'd be a nice figurehead'" here.