The magic “crossover’ deadline in the state legislature — the last date by which nonmoney bills must pass from one chamber to the other to stay alive for essentially the two-year legislative term — was extended last week from Thursday, May 17, to Thursday, May 24.
The move gives lobbyists of all stripes — from individual citizens to organized groups and professionals — a little more time to make phone calls, send e-mails or buttonhole legislators in person. A backlog of bills was cited as the reason for extension, and the N.C. Bill Drafting Division confirms the workload: 4,108 “substantive” requests for bill drafting were received by May 9, up over 30 percent from the same point in the 2005 session. Click here to check on the current status of individual bills of interest.
— Nelda Holder, news and opinion editor
