http://www.npr.org/sections/thetwo-way/2016/12/16/505872501/north-carolina-governor-signs-law-limiting-power-of-his-successor
Politics have been downright filthy in NC for the last year or two. First the bathroom bill, but more recently the state legislature before the election tried to suppress the vote before being blocked by the courts. After Election Day it seemed the democratic opponent won by 10k votes. The GOP governor however refused to resign until a recount verified the result. So now naturally this week the legislature held emergency sessions to strip powers away from the incoming governor. These measures were just signed into law by the lame duck governor.
The changes include removing a fifth senate from the state election board so the democrats would not have majority control of it; it also expands appellate court power and it requires that judicial candidates have their party affiliation broadcast on election ballots.
Today the legislature also finished a new bill on its way to the governors office that will require the state senate to confirm all of the governors cabinet appointments, would reduce the number of positions in the executive branch, removes the power of the governor to appoint NC University trustees and limits his ability to govern public schools.
In case you hadn't guessed it, the state legislature is firmly held by the Republican Party.
If this isn't unconstitutional either by state or federal constitution, and goes legally unopposed, it is awfully disturbing. The precedent it would set is worrisome: your gang loses a democratic election so you change the rules to make him a figurehead when he comes on.
The NC legislature is cancerous: a city passes a bill to let LBGTQs use any bathroom they like without harassment, so the state body signs a bill to invalidate all city ordinances just to neutralize it. Every time they lose by the rules they just change the rules.