Republicans at the North Carolina General Assembly keep creating more tools they say will help new Gov. Pat McCrory make his mark. But it's unclear how much he's benefiting from the assistance.
    
The latest tool comes from the Senate, where GOP leaders muscled through a bill last week that would fire more than 100 appointees on several high-profile boards and commissions so McCrory and legislative leaders can pick replacements.
    
Republicans say McCrory has the right to install his own team. Democrats call it a political power grab that will remove expertise from the boards. The bill is now in the House.
    
The legislature last year gave the next governor - now McCrory - the ability to raise Cabinet salaries and hire more allies without using traditional personnel rules.

(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)