Easley is the first governor to use the gubernatorial veto power since it was approved in 1997. He vetoed a minor appointments bill because some of the appointees were deceased, others could not be appointed legally and other appointments had expired.
Under the N.C. Constitution, the governor has 10 days from the date of the veto to convene the legislature to reconsider the bill in question.
Sen. Ellie Kinnaird, D-Orange, said that if lawmakers want to fill the appointments, they have no choice but to return to Raleigh.
"Once a veto has been made, we don't have a choice," she said. "We could just let it ride, but that wouldn't make sense. We either have to fix what the governor doesn't like or decide on a new plan."
The state constitution also prohibits lawmakers from considering any other measures during the veto session.
But Kinnaird said she has heard of possible issues, including legislative redistricting, that could be discussed in addition to the vetoed bill. "There is a lot of speculation."
But Rep. Joe Hackney, D-Orange, said he doesn't anticipate the session will cover anything other than the bill vetoed by Easley.
Both Hackney and Rep. David Redwine, D-New Hanover, said that despite the fact that legislators already will be in Raleigh, a special session on redistricting will not convene.
A new map will have to be drawn from the interim districts approved in a lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the original map. But the job does not have to be completed until the end of the 2003 legislative session.
