Top NC senator backing bill requiring appeals court votes

A top Republican lawmaker says legislation could soon surface that would require state appellate judges to disclose publicly how they voted privately on orders issued by their courts. Senate leader Phil Berger said Thursday that the proposal stems from court action that ultimately led the state Supreme Court to delay the March primary until May while redistricting litigation is heard. Supreme Court and Court of Appeals orders in early December didn't describe whether individual jurists supported or opposed decisions. Berger spoke in Raleigh after the House and Senate held non-voting sessions at the Legislative Building.