GOP/SUPREME COURT: “State Republicans vowed Wednesday [1-10-18] to appeal a federal-court ruling that North Carolina’s congressional districts were improperly drawn to maximize the GOP’s partisan advantage.
Leaders of the state House of Representatives and Senate said they planned to ask the U.S. Supreme Court to stay the decision, issued late Tuesday, rather than require legislators to draw new maps within two weeks.
Legislative leaders said it was unclear when they would file the request, though, because they were still sorting through the ruling, issued by a special, three-judge panel.
Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said drawing new maps for the state’s 13 congressional districts was unfair to candidates because a filing period opens Feb. 12. He also said it was inappropriate to request a redo of maps that have already been redrawn because of a separate court decision…
The ruling caused upheaval Wednesday, the opening day of this year’s legislative session, when lawmakers were expected to focus on environmental policy and changes in the election of state judges.”
-Valerie Bauerlein, “North Carolina Republicans Vow to Appeal Gerrymander Ruling,” The Wall Street Journal online, Jan. 10, 2018 06:23pm