It's not only possible to become a state legislator without getting elected, but 31 of the 170 members of the legislature have done it.

Those lawmakers first took office after being selected by a small group of their party's leaders and then being appointed by the governor.

Since the current legislative term began in January, six lawmakers have taken office after their predecessor resigned or, in one case, died. A seventh new legislator will be selected soon to replace Sen. David Weinstein, D-Lumberton, who resigned in September. When a lawmaker leaves office early, his or her party leaders select a replacement who is appointed by the governor.

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The House voted for a bill Wednesday that would require lawyers to disclose to a judge that a previous judge had rejected a plea bargain.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. Tim Moore, a Shelby Republican, would write into law something many lawyers already believe is a matter of good ethical practice, Moore said. The bill arose out of a particular case in which a judge accepted the same plea that a previous judge has rejected.

"What is really boils down to is avoiding the gaming of the system," Moore said.

Moore said pleas are most often rejected because judges believe they are too lienient.

Rep. Phillip Haire, a Sylva Democrat, said the bill was unnecessary because judges could always just ask lawyers if another judge has already rejected a plea.

"We don't need to put this in the statute," Haire said. "Put the burden back on the judge."

The bill is likely to be amended before it moves to the Senate. Rep. Darren Jackson, a Raleigh Democrat, suggested that the burden should only apply to the prosecutor, since the defense lawyer's duty is to do what's best for his or her client.

House Speaker Joe Hackney said the budget public hearing helped bring home how state spending affects people.

"There's nothing like hearing the personal stories and how the programs we fund affect them," Hackney said as the hearing wound to a close.

He said lawmakers routinely receive e-mail messages on countless subjects. But seeing people talk about the state's spending was far better.

Hackney, the House appropriation chairs and a handful of other lawmakers stayed throughout the three-hour hearing. Rep. Darren Jackson, a freshman Democrat from Raleigh said the hearing was also helpful for the audience members across the state, who got a flavor of the many directions lawmakers are pulled by constituents.

"It's a tough year," Jackson said, of the state's budget picture.

The hearing was a well-attended event that included plenty of speakers from the usual constituent and advocacy groups. But it also featured personal stories from state residents.

A Senate leader wants to make sure the part-time legislature doesn't stay full time.

Sen. Tony Rand, a Fayetteville Democrat, filed a bill last week that would cut off legislators' daily stipend and travel allowances past a certain number of days: 60 days in short sessions held in even-numbered years, or 135 in an odd-numbered years such as this one.

Legislators get $104 per day in so-called per diems, so their annual stipend would be limited to either $6,240 to $14,040.

(During session, per diems include Saturdays and Sundays, even if the legislature does not meet on those days.)

Reps. Grier Martin and Darren Jackson, both Wake County Democrats, currently do not accept per diem. Rep. Ty Harrell did not accept it in previous sessions.

In addition, legislators receive a reimbursement of 29 cents per mile for one round trip a week from home to the state capital. Rep. Roger West of Marble travels the farthest — 720 miles, or $208, round trip.

The bill has a good chance in the Senate. It already has 35 co-sponsors — a supermajority in the 50-member Senate — including both Republicans and Democrats.

No similar bill has yet been filed in the House.

Related: Conservative blogger calls bill "a pretty good first step."

Gov. Beverly Perdue has appointed Darren Jackson to the state House 39th District, which includes part of Wake County.

Jackson was appointed to fill the unexpired term of former Rep. Linda Coleman, who is now head of the Office of State Personnel.

He was recommended by the 39th District Democratic Executive Committee.

Jackson is from Eastern Wake County and practices law at Gay & Jackson LLP in Zebulon. He is vice president for the East Wake Education Foundation and has served previously as a Community in Schools mentor at East Wake Middle Schools.

He holds a law degree from Duke University and an undergraduate degree in political science from UNC-Chapel Hill.

Wake County Democrats nominated Wendell attorney Darren Jackson for state House.

Jackson ran unsuccessfully in 2002 against Rep. Sam Ellis and lost the Democratic primary to Rep. Linda Coleman in 2004.

Coleman is stepping down to head the Office of State Personnel under Gov. Beverly Perdue.

Jackson was one of three people who ran for the nomination for the House District 39 seat at a Democratic meeting Thursday.

The others were Wake County commissioner Lindy Brown and former Wake County commissioner candidate Don Mial.

The nomination now heads to Perdue, who will make the official appointment.

Wake County Democrats will decide on a new representative next week.

The District 39 Executive Committee will hold a meeting at 7 p.m. on Thursday, Jan. 22, at the N.C. Democratic Party headquarters on Hillsborough Street.

Their job is to recommend a replacement for Rep. Linda Coleman, an Eastern Wake Democrat who was appointed head of the Office of State Personnel by Gov. Beverly Perdue last week.

"Any person that is interested in taking her seat is welcome to come and speak," said county chair Doris Weaver. "The committee may also have recommendations that they bring up."

The committee will vote that night on its recommendation, which then heads to state party chairman Jerry Meek and then Perdue, who makes the appointment.

Weaver said she's heard informally from a few people who are interested in the position, but she declined to identify them.

Former Knightdale Mayor Jeanne Bonds, Wake County commissioner Lindy Brown, one-time commissioner candidate Don Mial, Zebulon lawyer Darren Jackson and Knightdale Town Council member James Roberson are rumored to be up for consideration.

The legislature convenes Jan. 28.