Special Legislative Session Begins Today

State lawmakers are back in Raleigh this week for a special session to vote on potential amendments to the state constitution.

Lawmakers are meeting to consider several measures that could go before voters in 2012. The most controversial is an amendment that would define marriage as between one man and one woman. State law already defines marriage that way, but conservative supporters of the measure say their constituents want constitutional guarantees. Another potential amendment would place term limits on the House speaker and Senate president pro tem. Its intent is to reduce the power of a handful of legislators. And if there's time, lawmakers may consider a measure that would allow them to appoint members of the State Board of Education. Currently the board is appointed by the governor.