raleigh n.c. north carolina republican-dominated legislature move strip power state incoming governor democrat roy cooper three weeks succeed republican executive mansion lawmakers thursday begin debate bill require senate confirmation cabinet appointments reduce 1,200 number state employees governor hire fire eliminate governor power pick university north carolina trustees legislation relate bill come surprise file late wednesday heel special lame duck session general assembly call consider relief hurricane matthew victims cooper swear jan. defeat incumbent republican pat mccrory 10,000 vote last month say proposals aim hold back people might think partisan power grab really ominous cooper say news conference raleigh thursday thwart governor ability move us forward education healthcare clean air water cooper currently state attorney general say office review proposals sue lawmakers approve measure believe unconstitutional mccrory office respond request comment whether would sign legislation republican lawmakers call change justify state constitution senate confirmation hear hold early state history say bill good step forward reassert legislative authority vest constitution entrust members body representative david lewis republican sponsor bill say debate thursday house representatives committee unrecorded voice vote advance bill thursday 100 people gather legislature demonstrate proposals senate debate separate measure would weaken governor control state elections board change five-member panel appoint governor eight-member panel half members appoint protesters chant work us slogans clear senate chamber legislative leaders say disrupt debate bill north carolina ninth most-populous u.s. state roil sharp political divisions state vote democratic presidential candidate barack obama 2008 turn right elect mccrory 2012 republican super-majorities state legislature state become target boycott company musicians sport league pass law year restrict bathroom access transgender people government build public school north carolina republicans try strip power incoming democratic governor