Legislature leans to the left

The legislature is leaning to the left this session.

North Carolina lawmakers are approvign bills tha push liberal ideals such as more comprehensive sex ed, no plastic bags at grocery stores and more protection for minorities in death penalty cases.

Many of the bills have gone nowhere in recent years.

The cast of characters in the legislature remains the same, but Democratic leaders have gone farther than simply shelving hot-button Republican bills on gay marriage or abortion.

"It's Obama's coattails," said Rep. Ruth Samuelson, a Charlotte Republican. "There's sort of a presumption that certain things are more politically acceptable than they were two years ago."

The bills have moved through the House and the Senate. (N&O)