Tuesday: Good to be Back

Created by Laura Leslie
posted at 2008-07-22 23:13 | Last modified 2008-07-23 00:35

I’m finally back at work after the weekend-long think-a-thon otherwise known as the Capitolbeat Strategic Planning Retreat.

It was in picturesque Alexandria, VA, though it could’ve been in Peoria for all we saw of it. Mostly, it was 12 people in one room for two days, trying to figure out how to keep an organization of statehouse reporters afloat while the newspaper industry seems to be racing itself to the bottom. Not fun, precisely, but productive.

One of several positive outcomes: You’re all invited (yes, even you) to the national Capitolbeat conference in Raleigh this November. We’re officially opening it up to the public for the first time ever. More info on that here.

De-listed?

The NC Association of Realtors is threatening to revoke its members’ MLS listing privileges if they don’t cough up an extra $50 plus a $25 dues increase to pay for “issues-related” lobbying. Not surprisingly, some realtors aren’t happy about the edict. Sabine Vollmer had an account in today’s N&O.

The story actually dates from mid-June, when this e-mail went out. An excerpt:

The money is going to be used to fill the Issues Mobilization fund to support and or fight issues that affect North Carolina property rights at both the state and local level. Issues such as real estate transfer taxes; professional services tax and impact fees.

…This assessment has been reduced to $50.00 if paid by September 30th and is $70.00 after that date but is due no later the due date of our regular local and state Board dues by the end of 2008. If we do not pay the assessment, we will be subject to losing our membership in NCAR and NAR and therefore our local Board and TMLS. This assessment is tax deductible as a business expense as it is not an RPAC contribution but a dues assessment.

It’s not unusual for an organization to lobby for its members’ interest, of course, but it IS a bit unusual for an organization with a robust PAC to assess its own lobbying fees outside that PAC. And leveraging the request with a threat to revoke vital credentials (back-end MLS access) is, well, kinda over the top. So much so, in fact, that state reform watchdogs think it might qualify as coerced political speech, which violates the First Amendment. And then there's the whole "tax-deductible" issue. Business expenses might qualify, but political contributions generally don't.

NCAR isn't exactly trying to hush this up. You can find plenty more about the dues and assessment at the TriangleMLS website – FAQS, a letter from the NCAR President Wendell Bullard, the board report, an NCAR press release, even a stirring video portraying NCAR as the patriotic defender of the “American Dream of Homeownership.” Oy.

Oh, Rielle-y?

The National Enquirer topped Drudge today with “breaking news” that its reporters caught former NC Sen. John Edwards visiting a rumored paramour, Rielle Hunter, in an LA hotel Monday night.

Not that the Enquirer is anything less than a bastion of journalistic integrity, but somehow, I’m not quite convinced. Still, it’s sure to stir the VP-pickin’ rumor mill up in DC.

Thanks, SPJ

Just found out yesterday that the Tavern won second place for “Best Blog” in the Green Eyeshade awards – an 11-state competition by the Society for Professional Journalists. It’s a big honor, especially given that a) the Tavern’s only been open for about 18 months, and b) its staff (of one) is all-volunteer.

WUNC won lots of other awards, too. The full list:

The State of Things Staff, First Place in the Courts and Law Reporting category for "Business of Prosecution"
Jessica Jones, First Place in the Non-Deadline News category for "James Ahearn"
Susan Davis, First Place in the Consumer Reporting category for "Genetic Testing"
Eric Hodge, Second Place in the Best Newscast category for "8 AM Newscast 8-31-07"
Laura Leslie, Second Place in the Best Blog category for "Isaac Hunter's Tavern"
Dave DeWitt, Second Place in Sports Reporting for "Black Baseball"
News & State of Things staff, Second Place in Continuing Coverage category for "NC Voices: Diagnosing Health Care"
Leoneda Inge, Third Place in the Feature Reporting category for "CSI"
Laura Leslie, Third Place in the Political Reporting category for "Meade's Chair."

The contest organizers still haven’t bothered to post the award listings online, but the South Florida chapter has a full rundown here. Congrats, all!

I’d be remiss not to add a huge "thank you" to our PM Editor and Acting News Director Brent Wolfe, who spends about two weeks every winter putting together dozens of awards submissions. It’s a frustrating, often byzantine task, one that probably wouldn't get done if he didn't do it - and it's much appreciated by those of us who benefit from it. So thanks, Brent!

Comments? Drop me a line.