Supporters of former State Representative David Minor on the Wake County Board of Commissioners, ambushed their Commissioners on Monday (April 13) to get Minor hired as the county lobbyist. Earlier, Commissioners had decided not to retain Minor after several Raleigh legislators – the people Minor would be lobbying – said, in effect, ‘This isn’t going…
My Democratic friends are not only ecstatic about Tom DeLay’s fall, they are certain it presages the fall of the Evil Empire. They’re convinced a Democratic “tidal wave” is about to engulf Washington and restore our party to its rightful majority in Congress. I’m afraid they’re wrong. Three reasons: 1. Voters don’t believe Democratic politicians…
Three Republican legislators have a remedy to the scandals in the State House. Representative Nelson Dollar, Paul Stam and Russell Capps say each party’s Caucus should appoint its members of House Committees. That the Democratic Caucus should appoint the Democrat members, and Republicans the Republicans. Instead of every Committee Member being picked by House Speaker…
I mentioned Raleigh writer-activist Bob Geary in an earlier post. And he’s been kind enough to read and comment on our blogs. Bob has done something I admire. He started out as a newspaper reporter – for the Independent Weekly. He writes a lot about Raleigh politics. And, apparently, he has been active in local…
The News and Observer (4-4-06) reports the ‘buzz’ in Washington is that John Edwards is running second in the Democratic race for President – behind Hillary Clinton. According to the Washington Newsletter Hotline, Edwards is “the only major candidate who seems comfortable going to Hillary’s left.” I didn’t know there was such a place. Not…
The current debate in Raleigh over higher impact fees reminds of a political-consultant friend who liked to tweak his politician clients. When the politicians agonized about whether to support any tax increases, my friend would suggest – with a straight face: “Tell them you support higher taxes on foreigners who don’t live in the United…
Last year, Democrat leaders in the General Assembly put $400,000 in the budget to give to the Sparta Teapot Museum. Earlier the foundation they (Mike Easley, Mark Basnight and Jim Black) appointed to give out the tobacco settlement money gave the Museum $590,000. Now Congress has given the Teapot Museum another $500,000. In fact, Congress…
Three Republican House members from Wake County waxed indignant this week about Speaker Jim Black. According to The News & Observer, the Three Musketeers “rolled out a list of reforms Wednesday that they say would limit the speaker’s power and open up how the chamber operates.” “North Carolina desperately needs to transform our state government…
Some supporters of the Wake County school bonds are unhappy with my blog – which was reprinted in The News & Observer Sunday – saying the bond issue is dead with the voters. I’m not their problem. Their problem is the voters. And – more specifically – their problem is a failure to realize that…
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