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Thursday: Field Trip
posted at 2007-03-08 19:02 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
The legislature headed out to Greenville today for a special ceremonial joint session honoring ECU's centennial. The N&O’s Jerry Allegood says it was a festive occasion, albeit lightly attended. Fewer than half the state’s 170 lawmakers actually showed up. Quite a few were in their offices today, racing the clock to finish legislation as filing deadlines close in.
More trouble for Wright
In case you haven't been keeping up, it's been a rough year for New Hanover Dem Thomas Wright, who's facing a campaign finance probe. This week, it got even rougher.
It started last year with Wright's delay in reporting contributions from landfill developer Sims Hugo Neu. At the time, Wright was sponsoring legislation that would have benefitted Hugo Neu. Wright says it was an unintentional error, but political gadfly Joe Sinsheimer wasn't buying it. Sinsheimer filed this complaint against Wright with the State Elections Board, prompting an investigation into Wright's campaign finance reports.
Earlier this week, Wilmington's Mark Schreiner reported the Elections Board has subpoenaed Wright's personal and campaign financial records after Wright didn't supply them himself. Now, the Charlotte Observer's Mark Johnson says the board is also looking into Wright's handling of a bill as chairman of the Health Committee.
Wright maintains he's done nothing wrong, and House Speaker Joe Hackney has said he won't ask Wright to step aside from his committee chairmanship. But there's plenty of speculation that these latest allegations may force Hackney to reconsider.
Mental health money
The Joint Mental Health Oversight Committee signed off yesterday on a report calling for more money -- a LOT more money -- for the state's troubled mental health care system. They're asking for 135 million dollars - about 107 million more than the Governor's budget calls for. The AP has the full story. (And In case you missed it last weekend, the N&O's Lynn Bonner had an excellent story on what's ailing the mental health system.)
Press updates
Well, it's finally official - the Asheville Citizen-Times is losing Kerra Bolton to the NC Dems. The party put out its official release today. Bolton takes over as chief party mouthpiece March 19th, replacing Schorr Johnson, who's headed over here to work for Senate leader Marc Basnight.
And BIG, if unofficial, news for the Norfolk Virginian-Pilot -- trade mag Editor & Publisher has posted a leaked list of some of this year's Pulitzer nominees. If it's correct, the Pilot's series on Blackwater has made the short list. Congratulations! (Unofficially, of course.)
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