Less power to the speaker

Three Republicans in the General Assembly have offered sweeping proposals to dilute the power of the House speaker. Their prime motivation may be to intensify the pressure on the House's current leader, Democrat Jim Black, who is reeling in a tempest of scandal. But even if the reformers' intentions are to unseat the sitting speaker, Democrats should not argue with the need to radically change House rules so as to weaken the institution of the speakership. North Carolina's House speaker is essentially an elected dictator.

Andrew J. Taylor