House Speaker Tim Moore says there are no plans by Republicans to bring up legislation to increase the number of North Carolina Supreme Court justices.
But protesters in the Legislative Building during the special session on disaster relief fear a court expansion could happen.
Moore told reporters Tuesday during a House recess he doesn't believe the chamber ought to consider legislation to expand the court. Democrats and their allies have pressed the idea for weeks as a way Republicans could keep a GOP majority on the court even though Democrats are poised to have a 4-3 advantage following last month's elections.
Moore says other legislation unrelated to disaster relief is being considered but declined to provide details.
A few hundred activists from special interest and civil rights groups marched to the Legislative Building rotunda as the special session began and vowed to push back on Republican efforts to pack the court.