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Fri: Scuttlebutt du Jour
posted at 2008-05-30 20:52 | Last modified 2008-05-30 21:01
It’s now or never
Senate Leader Marc Basnight is serious about making this a truly “short” session. Word is he’s told his caucus he’s shutting down committees in two weeks. That won’t make the House happy. Thanks to serial referrals, they aren’t likely to get much sent across the pond till the middle of June. No word on any similar announcement on the House side.
Burnin’ up the lines
Legislative phone operators are being overwhelmed by callers after both SEANC and NCAE launched robocall campaigns this week, urging their members to call lawmakers to complain about the raises under negotiation in House budget talks.
The proposal – 3% for teachers, 2.75% for state employees – isn’t making anybody happy, and some callers are apparently ready to share the misery by being rude to the (very nice) folks who answer the main phone lines. Yeah, that’ll help.
Day of Rest? Nope.
House budget negotiators are taking Saturday off, but senior chair Mickey Michaux (D-Durham) expects to be back Sunday to finalize some details.
Some big chunks have already been released – the N&O’s Dan Kane has a nice wrap-up – but the finance package and capital are still MIA. All signs point to a vote on the House floor this week.
You like us…
Senator David Hoyle (D-Gaston) filed an “Open Government Act” this week that would make it easier for the press to get public records.
The measure includes two key provisions. First, it would set up and fund an “Open Government Unit” in the state Justice Department to oversee public records requests and arbitrate disputes. Second, it would help media outlets recover legal fees if they win a court dispute over public records - a big help to smaller papers trying to cover court costs in the service of investigative reporting.
Hoyle’s never been hostile to the press – he’s always good for an entertaining soundbite - but this level of beneficence is, um, surprising. He says it’s all about self-preservation. Reporters are going to get what they want anyway, and trying to block them just makes them mad, so why not just hand the records over?
The bill’s odds of surviving the short session aren’t great – but Hoyle’s name should help, and its referral to Sen. Approps bodes relatively well, too. Thanks, Senator!
Speaking of newspaper budgets...
Sad news times two this week.
First, the Capitol Press Corps has lost its (semi-) resident curmudgeon. Winston-Salem columnist Paul O’Connor cleaned out his desk over the holiday weekend. O’Connor may continue to do some editorial work for W-SJ, but he’ll be focusing more on his cushy gig over at UNC’s journalism school.
Second, former Capitol corps member Sharif Durhams accepted a buyout this week from the Charlotte Observer. Sharif’s been working in Kannapolis for a while, but it’s always great to see him when he drops by his old Jones St. stomping grounds. He says he’s okay with the deal, but there’s no word yet on what’s next for him.
Rumor has it Char-O’s Jack Betts was also offered a buyout, but declined. If it's true, good for you, Jack, and good for the state, too. Here’s hoping McClatchy’s beancounters figure that out.
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