Greensboro officials are hiring a law firm to fight a bid by legislative Republicans to restructure some city council members out of a job.
The News & Record of Greensboro reports city officials hired the Brooks Pierce firm to lobby lawmakers against the legislation and help form a legal strategy if the fight goes to court.
The legislation would reduce the size of Greensboro's city council, redraw districts and strip the mayor's vote in most circumstances.
Supporters of the measure say it will improve overall representation. Opponents see the change as another effort by Republicans to enhance their power on more local governments.
The bill easily sailed through the state Senate and could be taken up next week by a committee in the state House.
