General
Easley for Senate?
Governor Easley may have just sent a huge signal he’s thinking about running for the Senate in 2008. Just before the election the Governor spent $100,000 – in ‘leftover campaign funds – on TV ads promoting his ‘prescription drug plan for low-income senior citizens.” (News and Observer; 10-31-06). Maybe, this is just the Governor’s way…
Read MoreMayor Meeker: Buy Dix Hill
Mayor Meeker wants the City to set up a development corporation to buy the Dix Hospital site for $40 million. (The money would come from bonds, new taxes and donations.) Voters just passed a billion dollar school bond. Are they likely to favor another bond so the City can go into the land development business?…
Read MoreThe Tequila Junket
Last month the newspapers reported Governor Easley’s state ABC Board Chairman taking a junket to Ireland, courtesy of Irish whiskey distillers. It turns out that trip was the tip of the iceberg. ABC Board Chairman, Doug Fox, has also taken junkets to Guadalajara, Mexico, Aspen, Phoenix, Fort Lauderdale, Marco Island, Florida, and a second time…
Read MoreThe Lottery Scandal: Round Five. The Big Round:
Michael Decker pled guilty to taking a bribe to vote for Jim Black. Black’s appointee to the Lottery Board was convicted of fraud. Black’s aide, Meredith Norris, plead guilty to lobbying Black illegally. And a lottery vender’s Vice President was also convicted of illegally lobbying Black. Defending himself, Speaker Black argues stoutly he can’t recall…
Read MoreEarmarking Roads
We pay 48¢ a gallon gas tax (30¢ state; 18¢ federal) but almost every day we read the state is delaying crucial road projects â like I-540 â for years. The News and Observer (10-29-06) has identified one reason: Earmarks. Perks for Congressmen. If youâre a Congressman building the most needed roads in the state…
Read MoreTen Election Predictions:
My Democratic campaign friends are cautiously ecstatic. My Republican campaign friends are nearly suicidal. So here – based on hearsay, guesswork and a dose of wishful thinking – are my Election Day predictions. Democrats sweep nationally. It’s the war, stupid. (Listen up, Mr. President.) Democrats take Congress. We pick up 30 U.S. House seats and…
Read MoreWhistling Past the Graveyard?
House Majority Leader John Boehner made this pre-election prediction on George Stephanopoulos’ TV program Sunday a week ago: Boehner explained most Congressional races aren’t about federal issues, they’re about local issues. So, he says despite the war, Republicans will win. He admitted Independent voters are a problem, but added they don’t vote in off-year elections.…
Read MoreAll in One Day
Every morning I go out, pick up the newspaper, then sit down and read it. One day last week almost cured me of the habit. When I opened the paper, Iran was enriching more uranium to build bombs, Korea had tested a bomb and the Prime Minister of Iraq, who’s a Shiite Muslim, had attacked…
Read MoreUrban Correctness II: Meeker’s Rules
City Councilman Thomas Crowder, apparently, takes the Cityâs new regulations on the height of grass, outdoor cafes and hot dog stands pretty seriously. He sounds like a dedicated advocate of Urban Correctness. The problem is, sometimes, he sounds like a killjoy too. When the City fined Lew Barnes $236 for not cutting his grass to…
Read MoreTaking Money Out of Politics?
Since 2004, reformers have intensified their efforts in North Carolina and nationally to stop the flow of political money. What are the results? According to the Campaign Media Analysis Group, campaign-ad spending this year will top $2 billion, $400 million more than in 2004. You can’t stop money. To comment, send us an email to…
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