House takes a snow break

Citing dangerous weather and travel conditions, state House leaders on Tuesday canceled meetings and sessions for Wednesday and Thursday. That followed a raft of committee and event cancelations Tuesday as the snow piled up outside the Legislative Building.

The announcement means a full week with no recorded votes in the House. Lawmakers took one voice vote on a Wilkes County fox trapping bill Tuesday before adjourning. Monday's session was also a so-called "skeleton," or no-vote, session.

Speaking from the dais, House Speaker Tim Moore said, "We just can't catch a break on this one."

"It's been very frustrating," Moore, R-Cleveland, told reporters after session. "The weather just hasn't cooperated."

Moore pointed out that legislators have to make their respective ways to Raleigh from every corner of the state. The combination of Tuesday's surprise snowstorm, resulting black ice on Wednesday morning, and forecasted heavy snow Wednesday night has made travel hazardous.

"We really don't want folks out driving in this mess. It's just not safe," he said. "We're just going to have to double down next week."

Senate leaders were less sure of their plans.

At the end of Tuesday's no-vote session, Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger said the Senate would convene Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and would make a decision then on a voting session later in the day. However, several early morning Senate meetings scheduled for Wednesday and Thursday have already been canceled.