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Wed.: Catching Up
posted at 2008-05-28 23:52 | Last modified 2008-05-29 07:24
There’s been so much going on in the building, it’s been tough just keeping up with it, let alone writing about it. So, since there’s no huge legislative story today, I figured I’d catch up with a few of the smaller ones.
But first...
One pretty big update: Our General Manager, Joan Siefert Rose, announced today she’s leaving the station to take the helm at the Council for Entrepreneurial Development. She's led WUNC for 7 years, during which time the station went from a couple dozen people to the sprawling enterprise it is today.
As a reporter, I’m truly sorry to see Joan go. A former capitol reporter herself, she’s been unflagging in her support of our news department. As a woman, I’m sorry to see her go, too – there’s a real scarcity of strong, battle-tested women GMs in radio. But as someone who likes and respects Joan, I’m happy for her – it’s a great chance for her to grow another non-profit. And hey, anyone who could lead us for seven years must love a challenge.
She’ll be at the station till the end of June, so drop her a line and wish her luck.
Hackney: Don’t handcuff Auditor
House Speaker Joe Hackney was cautious today on the topic of the escalating turf war between legislators and the State Auditor’s office.
Auditor Les Merritt said an anonymous hotline tip led to his investigation into whether Buncombe Dem Martin Nesbitt had a potential conflict of interest because mega-insurer Blue Cross sponsored the racing team owned by Nesbitt’s son. (Nesbitt sits on the health care committee and vice chair of the mental health committee.) The audit’s here.
Nesbitt responded with characteristic restraint: the “conflict” is nonsense, the audit is a politically motivated smear, and Merritt probably shouldn’t be throwing stones given his own ethics issues. Merritt could (and probably should) have taken the high road, but opted instead to egg Nesbitt on with this reply.
Meantime, Senate leaders said Merritt should’ve left the whole thing to the State Ethics Commission, which found no conflict. They’re backing a proposal to ban the auditor’s office altogether from investigations into legislative ethics issues.
Separation of powers notwithstanding, that may be a bit extreme. At least that was Hackney’s take today. When asked about it, he agreed the law clearly puts ethics cases under the purview of the Ethics Commission, but added that lawmakers shouldn’t handcuff the Auditor’s office.
This may not be settled in the short session. But if Merritt wins re-election, I’m willing to bet we’ll hear more about it in ’09.
HK on J POCJUD
Got that? No? Today was the “People of Color Justice and Unity” (Legislative) Day for the Historic Thousands on Jones St. (HK on J) Coalition. Representatives from some of the coalition’s 80+ groups came to lobby today for a 14-point “People’s Agenda” that emphasizes civil rights, low-income workers, disadvantaged students, and affordable housing.
Acronyms aside, they’re doing pretty well so far. Some key legislators have signed onto their agenda items – like the Racial Justice Act, an EITC hike, a renewed proposal to index the minimum wage to the cost of living, a measure to stop community colleges from asking about the immigration status of students, and various and sundry bills addressing the mortgage crisis.
The budget...
...is, as usual, tantalizingly out of reach. House Approps folks plan to run some sections past subcommittees tomorrow (the only question is whether they’ll slow down), but Finance folks say the fat lady isn’t singing just yet. Still at issue: raises for teachers vs state employees. Big Chair Doug Yongue said today he’s in favor of getting teacher raises up to the national average, but it might not happen this year:
Listen Now!
Pittenger out, Dalton in
Mecklenberg Republican Robert Pittenger resigned from the Senate
yesterday to devote himself fulltime to his campaign for Lieutenant
Governor. Former Senator Bob Rucho won the primary to replace
Pittenger and will likely be appointed to the seat. Pittenger says he’s
stepping aside now because Rucho’s a legislative veteran who can give
his full attention to the district’s needs.
Pittenger’s Democratic rival for Lt Gov, Walter Dalton, is also in the State Senate, but he says he’s not going anywhere.
You’re a Senator?
No shirt, no shoes, no citation: Davidson Republican Stan Bingham got pulled over in VA this weekend with a headlight out and a missing license plate (stolen, he says). He told his fellow senators yesterday the cop who pulled him over had a tough time buying that this shirtless, shoeless guy was a state senator. Listen below.
Listen Now!
Comments? Drop me a line.
