newsobserver.com projects - escheats fund - Comments

Re: Cowell: Scholarship fund draining

Kingixolib — Sat, 16 May 2009 18:12:34 -0400

She's gotta be a democRAT, right?

Re: Cowell: Scholarship fund draining

PlaybyPlay — Fri, 15 May 2009 22:46:11 -0400

Though I am now very excited about the Shane's Rib Shack half rack of ribs give away tomorrow, I don't think that was the link you meant to post for the document.

Re: Cowell: Scholarship fund draining

PlaybyPlay — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:24:57 -0400

Maybe they mean the money being held by the SEAA, not the actual escheats fund? Still doesn't seem to add up though when you are talking about spending $210 million each year for scholarships out of the SEAA fund.

The North Carolina State Education Assistance Authority (SEAA) is an agency of the State of North Carolina and is authorized by the General Assembly to administer post-secondary education programs of student financial assistance created under Federal or State law. North Carolina General Statute 116B-7 provides that the interest earnings from the Escheat Fund, minus administrative expenses, be deposited with the SEAA. The law further provides that this money will be utilized to provide grants and low interest loans to worthy and needy North Carolina students in State-supported schools of higher education. In July 2008, $27,483,811 was deposited with the SEAA for this purpose. This will provide over 50,000 additional grants and low-interest loans to North Carolina students in State-supported schools of higher education.

Who's money is it?

PlaybyPlay — Fri, 15 May 2009 16:09:44 -0400

Are they using the principle funds that come from the funding resources you listed? I was under the impression that money was required to be divested from companies into an account controlled by the state so that people could later find and be returned the money that is theirs, not the states. There are a number of websites that allow you to look up if you have lost money. But, I have noticed that NC is not a participant in the sites I have searched so far. Maybe that is because the NC government wants the money for themselves. Much like a lot of people’s tax refunds they are holding. There are other funding resources for the escheats funds that are not the property of citizens, is that the source of the public spending from this account? If not, what if people want their money and now the state has spent it? Is the state required to keep that money on hand or are they allowed to spend it as they want and are just liable for any claims?

Maybe this is more for Ask Dome...

Perdue using stimulus to rescue dems overspending

concerned53 — Sat, 21 Feb 2009 23:57:41 -0500

I didn't know that the objective of Obama's stimulus plan was to patch NC's and other states' budget deficits. It appears that Beverly and other Governors like Arnold are using the stimulus funds to bail themselves out from years of overspending & corruption. Beverly will be also be skimming off her share before any potential "stimulus" money gets to either the cities or their citizens.

Expect the same old favoritism and corruption that we had under Easley.

Re: Dome Memo: Bad News Bear Market

samwatts — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 14:30:26 -0500

The rewrite greatly improves the discussion on the health plan. Wasn't wild about the original phrasing. Good work!

Re: Dome Memo: Bad News Bear Market

CitizenOpinionated — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 11:03:17 -0500

Ryan - I am glad you wrote the post as you did concerning Hagan.

CARD CHECK ... PLEASE? U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan may now have to pay her union dues. Although known as a pro-business Democrat in the legislature, she won labor's backing to the tune of $200,000 last year after pledging to support a "card check" bill that would make unionization easier. Now her vote in Congress could prove crucial to the bill's chances.

On October 28, 2008, Senator Hagan released a campaign press release stating the following regarding being beholden to special interest for campaign support.

"With our economy in the shape it is now, North Carolina simply can’t afford to lose any more jobs because of corporate greed and special interest politics. Kay will work every day to make life better for North Carolina’s families.”

She has been in office less than 100 days and she has already gone against her promises.

But then again, Senator Hagan also said the following on the campaign trail about her views concerning the economy.

"In the U.S. Senate, she will work towards a balanced budget and fiscal constraints, and she will demand we follow pay-as-you-go rules. She will be a diligent steward of taxpayers’ money by fighting against wasteful federal contracts and finding ways to reduce our national debt."

- Thanks to the Hagan campaign for leaving your website up and running as it is even easier to see how many campaign promises you will break.

I understand that the Republicans from 2000-2005 and both parties from 2006-2008 provide a great disservice to Americans, but we have to look forward and do what is best for all Americans and for future Americans.

Re: Scholarship fund running dry

domewatcher — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 11:24:45 -0500

The Transpark is a lot like ole' Uncle Dan. You know, that crazy uncle who comes to the family reunion. He's a good guy but there's just something about him that ain't exactly right.

There have been studies on the GTP since time began but everyone just pushes them aside. I think the first study of the GTP is in the Book of Genesis.

As to what has been created? A monster. A behemoth. I believe the original estimate was 50,000 jobs by 1997. Actual job creation is somewhat less than that.....about 49,500 less I believe.

But we got a nice GTP parkway down there. It doesn't go anywhere but it sure is nice. We go out there after church and ride up and down. There ain't no traffic and once in a while you might see an airplane. And we're getting ready to build us a railroad out there.

But seriously, everything is gonna be all right. Once we get an interstate highway....and once we reroute the intercoastal waterway.....and then dredge a port.....then everything will be just fine. In the meantime, y'all just keep sending us a check.

Re: Scholarship fund running dry

j1c2kp — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 10:50:47 -0500

Ryan how long has it been since there has been an in-depth reporting of the Global Boondoggle? Might be good to refresh folks on the amount of money spent, what has been created, etc. What are salaries for GTP?

Re: Scholarship fund running dry

CitizenOpinionated — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:24:41 -0500

That money went to the same place that the money that was supposed to be used to repay the General Fund that was given to the Highway Trust Fund under Hagan's leadership on budget committee.

Re: Scholarship fund running dry

domewatcher — Mon, 16 Feb 2009 09:08:07 -0500

What is the status of the "loan" made to the Global Transpark?

I seem to recall that the Escheat Fund loaned the Transpark some $25,000,000. Last I heard the loan, with accrued interest, was well over $30,000,000. And the legislature has to fund the GTP each year just so the GTP can pay the light bill.

Maybe those students who could not go to college because the Escheat Fund loaned $25,000,000 to the Transpark.....well, maybe they can get a job at the Transpark.