Cooper, Legislature Spend Big on Private Lawyers in Fight Over Powers

The power struggle between Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper and the Republican legislature over political appointments has so far cost state taxpayers more than $1.5 million in legal fees from private lawyers. Andy Taylor, political science professor  at NC State, said both sides are hiring armies of lawyers to fight their legal battles, a move that’s “totally unprecedented” in the state’s history. “This is the kind of stuff that historically has occurred in Washington,” Taylor said.