Reform the N.C. House

We find ourselves on this Thursday applauding a group of Republican North Carolina House members calling for the reform of House rules. Namely,

* Limiting the speaker's tenure to three two-year terms.

* Letting party caucuses appoint their members to legislative committees. The number of members for each committee would be determined by the percentage of seats each party controls in the House.

* Banning provisions within the state budget that have little to do with spending, and banning closed-door budget meetings between House and Senate conferees.

* Establishing an independent redistricting commission to avoid gerrymandered legislative districts to favor incumbents.

What's fair is fair. The Democrats have run the N.C. House like a plantation, and presumably the Republicans would do the same when they take power. Neither situation is in the best interests of the state.