General
Lou Wilson Responds
Once again, we interrupt this blog to bring you a word from our clients. I promise not to turn this into a long-running home-care versus assisted-living debate. But Lou Wilson with the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities takes issue with Carter’s blog “Grit” below. Herewith Lou: “Mentally ill people have not…
Read MoreMeeting Jim Hunt
Twenty-six years ago after the fourth Helms-Hunt debate I walked up onto the back of the stage and stood waiting for Jesse – as he talked to reporters – and suddenly the crowd shifted and I found myself standing face to face with Jim Hunt in the flesh – for the first time. To…
Read MoreGrit
Gary and I have a bit of grit in the gears of our now going on decade long friendship and I’m afraid I’m the one who caused the problem. Sometimes, if it’s a good story about how government works (or doesn’t work), I write about what I see or learn while working with a…
Read MoreInto the Elephants’ Den
Since I tweaked Governor Perdue for the building-code mess (see below), I’ll salute her for a bold stroke at the legislative caucus today. She went in to talk about the budget. But she seized the opportunity to challenge the new Republican House and Senate to act on three issues: - Legislative session limits - More…
Read MoreShoddy Construction
You wouldn’t want the people who put together the new building code to build your house. The Building Code Council Tuesday adopted rules to make new commercial and residential buildings more energy-efficient. But they were afraid the changes would increase the cost of homes when the home-buying market is in a depression. So they…
Read MoreThe Right Enemies
Things are looking up for President Obama. First, he’s going to get a win. Congress will pass the tax cut/stimulus bill he worked out with Republicans. Even better for him, congressional Democrats – who had become a political anchor around the President’s neck – are mad about the bill. And how can…
Read MoreCrisis in Adult Care
I normally don’t blog about my clients. Simple reason: I’m afraid readers would stop reading. But Carter forces my hand. He has posted several blogs about the assisted-living industry, also known as adult-care homes. They’re my clients: the N.C. Association of Long-Term Care Facilities and its director, Lou Wilson. Carter reflects the views…
Read MoreWhat Would John A. Do?
A reader writes: “Were you as astonished as me at the reaction to Bev’s consolidation plan?” State Controller David McCoy told WRAL he is opposed to Governor Perdue’s Cabinet-consolidation plan. Linda Hayes, Perdue’s Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, dragged her feet about how difficult it would be. The reader notes: “If John…
Read MoreThree Politicians
Over the last month I’ve watched stories converge for three politicians I’ve known: Jim Hunt, Mike Easley and John Edwards. First I published my biography of Hunt, and we made a 10-stop book tour. Then Mike Easley was convicted of a felony. Then John Edwards reemerged after Elizabeth’s death. Toward the end of…
Read MorePerdue Shuffles the Deck
Governor Perdue’s Cabinet reorganization demonstrates the advantage a governor always has over a legislature. While Republican legislators organize themselves and talk about what they plan to do, she can act. In the context of a near-$4 billion hole, her plan may not look huge. But her changes look good; even Republicans praised them.…
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