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Sunday: Weekend Round-up
posted at 2007-04-22 22:40 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
It's going to be a busy week for the folks in Bill Drafting. This is the final week for House members to submit Appropriations bills (the ones that spend money, and that's most of them). The bill filing deadline is more crucial than ever this year, because House Speaker Joe Hackney has already said there'll be no "special provisions" in the budget. That means no special requests - everything involving the spending of money has to go down on paper as a bill first.
Wednesday afternoon is the deadline. And we're already at a record number of bills now. So if you see Gerry Cohen or his hardworking staff in the halls, be nice to them!
Weekend Highlights
As usual, some excellent stuff in the papers this weekend. In case you missed it:
The N&O's Rob Christensen explains exactly what's wrong with a $400 haircut.
Charlotte's Jack Betts talks about the political sea change around the OLF.
Winston-Salem's Paul O Connor talks about getting greener.
And the N&O's Andy Curliss gets out of the building to offer his account of a spring tradition.
Frog Feedback
If you heard my story Friday morning, you already know the House has selected the bullfrog as the State Amphibian. But I had plenty of feedback on the issue here at the Tavern.
The tree frog got some votes (on looks, I think), and the hellbender won a few on the strength of its nickname, the "Snot Otter." But so far, the best nominating speech was in favor of the Neuse River Water Dog (pic here) by a reader who wishes to remain anonymous. To wit:
"I throw my support to the Neuse River Waterdog for the following reasons
1. The fact that it is unique to NC is tough to argue with
2. Successful passage of legislation is not a cakewalk, our fourth grade friends need to learn that now, lest they get all Frank Capra on us.
3. My very own 2nd grade soccer team was called the waterdogs, which is exactly the kind of name you get when you let 2nd graders vote on a team name.
4. As a Down-East candidate with folksy appeal, the Waterdog can win statewide; all he needs is a good TV spot. (at least that is what one of Easley’s aides told me)
So put me down for the waterdog."
Man, this guy should work in politics. Oh, wait....
Cooper running?
Ever since the Duke Lacrosse announcement, rumors have been circulating that AG Roy Cooper might, just maybe, be thinking about running for something other than AG. While it's all been strictly speculative, it's still a pretty interesting idea. Libby Dole may have 52% percent support, according to the latest Elon Poll, but a good strategist could make all kinds of hay out of Cooper's LAX intervention. But do donors see it that way?
Cooper seems to want to find out. He's making announcements tomorrow about new developments in his sex offender database. But he's eschewing his usual haunts on Jones St. in favor of venues in Smithfield and Concord. Why the road trip, and why now? You tell me.
Comments? Drop me a line.
