Under the Dome blog

North Carolina lawmakers win easily against South Carolina in charity game

John_Frank — Wed, 22 May 2013 21:50:11 -0400

RALEIGH -- A deep bench and powerful inside presence under the basket gave North Carolina lawmakers the advantage they needed to make a second half run and beat a squad of South Carolina legislators 35 -27 in a charity game Wednesday.

With the win at Reynolds Coliseum in Raleigh, North Carolina reclaimed the trophy from its southern rival and extended its series lead to 11-6 in an on-again, off-again competition that dates to 1979.

Anti-abortion centers would receive state funding in Senate budget

cjarvis — Wed, 22 May 2013 18:14:38 -0400

An umbrella group of anti-abortion centers in North Carolina would receive $250,000, under the budget the Senate approved Wednesday.

Sometimes known as crisis pregnancy centers, abortion-rights advocates claim they provide misleading information and coerce vulnerable young women. Representatives of the group, Carolina Pregnancy Care Fellowship, told The N&O in 2011 that its centers work hard to provide factual, impartial help to teenagers and women who are conflicted about their pregnancies.

Ethics amendment politely tabled

cjarvis — Wed, 22 May 2013 17:34:34 -0400

Amendments to the state budget were flying fast and furious leading up to the Senate’s approval on Wednesday.

One of them would have required any officeholder who fails to file a state economic disclosure form within 60 days could be removed from office immediately.

That proposal came from Sen. Gladys Robinson, a Democrat from Guilford County, but it didn’t get anywhere.

Foxx gets smooth ride at confirmation hearing

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:27:01 -0400

WASHINGTON - Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx, who has been nominated by President Barack Obama to be U.S. Transportation Secretary, has so far had an easy confirmation hearing before the Senate’s Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee Wednesday afternoon, The Charlotte Observer's Steve Harrison reports.

Hagan seat changed from 'Lean Democrat" to "Tossup/Tilt Democrat'

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:08:45 -0400

Stu Rothenberg, a noted national political analyst, has moved North Carolina 2014 Senate race from “lean Democrat” to “tossup/tilt Democrat.''

Writing in his blog Wednesday, Rothenberg, editor of the Rothenberg Political Report, based the changed on the changing national political landscape with recent controversies having put the Obama administration on the defensive and breathed new life into the Republicans.

Hagan seat changed from 'Lean Democrat" to "Tossup/Tilt Democrat'

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 16:08:45 -0400

Stu Rothenberg, a noted national political analyst, has moved North Carolina 2014 Senate race from “lean Democrat” to “tossup/tilt Democrat.''

Obama' popularity in NC slips

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 15:45:20 -0400

President Barack Obama's standing in North Carolina has dropped in the state, according to a new poll.

The president had an approval rating now stands at 45 percent positive and 53 percent negative, according to a survey by Public Policy Polling, a Democratic leaning firm based in Raleigh.

Bucking speaker, House Republican committee chair resigns post

John_Frank — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:55:39 -0400

In a rare move, a leading Republican lawmaker resigned his committee chairmanship Wednesday, citing a litany of differences with House Speaker Thom Tillis and accusing him of a conflict of interest.

Berry and Hagan pull even in '14 Senate race

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:44:53 -0400

Republican Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry runs even with Democratic Sen. Kay Hagan in a new poll.

Berry and Hagan are tied at 45 percent in a potential 2014 match-up, according to a survey conducted by Public Policy polling, a Democratic leaning firm based in Raleigh.

In the GOP primary to be held next May, Congresswoman Virginia Foxx(15 percent) is in a virtual tie with Berry (14 percent.)” Following them is Senate leader Phil Berger and Congresswoman Renee Ellmers, each with 10 percent, physician Greg Bannon with 7 percent, House Speaker Thom Tillis with 6 percent, former ambassador Jim Cain with 4 percent, Mark Harris and Lynn Wheeler each with 3 percent.

Racial Justice Act supporters make another stand against repeal

cjarvis — Wed, 22 May 2013 14:12:34 -0400

Supporters of the Racial Justice Act mounted an offensive Wednesday in hopes of beating back this session’s attempt to wipe the Act off the books and resume executions.

On Wednesday morning, a House judiciary subcommittee took public input on SB306, which has passed the Senate and will be voted on in the subcommittee next week. Afterward, RJA supporters – including about a dozen legislators, two lawyers, a doctor and a relative of a murder victim – were part of the subsequent news conference.

Price amendment to fund community firefighters passes House committee

marycornatzer — Wed, 22 May 2013 12:06:15 -0400

UPDATED: The House Appropriations Committee is making its final changes to the 2014 funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security today. Among other business, it passed an amendment by Rep. David Price that would allow communities to use some grant funds to keep firefighters on the job.

McCrory: 'I never showed my cards this early'

John_Frank — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:57:04 -0400

Gov. Pat McCrory declined to say Wednesday whether he would veto a state budget that includes provisions he disagrees with.

The Republican governor told the Charlotte Observer he believes he can compromise with leaders of the GOP-controlled General Assembly. McCrory doesn’t like some parts of the Senate budget that could be passed by that body Wednesday. Among them: a proposal to eliminate special Superior Court judges, transferring the SBI from the Attorney General’s office to the Department of Crime Control and Public Safety and the lack of pay increases for state employees. “I’ll probably follow the same line I did as (Charlotte’s) mayor,” the governor said. “I never showed my cards this early in the process.”

West Virginia Republicans in town to tout judicial public financing

robchristensen — Wed, 22 May 2013 11:37:23 -0400

Supporters of continuing public financing for high court judges Wednesday brought to Raleigh two prominent West Virginia Republicans to argue that North Carolina's law was a model for keeping the courts impartial.

Former West Virginia S.C. Court Justice John F. McCuskey and his son, Delegate John B. McCuskey, noted that their state had recently adopted a public financing law modeled after North Carolina.

State audit faults testing of new Medicaid billing system

lynnbonner — Wed, 22 May 2013 10:32:28 -0400

The state Department of Health and Human Services' testing program for the new Medicaid billing system was seriously flawed, a report from State Auditor Beth Wood's office said.

The state is preparing to launch a new, expensive, and long-delayed Medicaid billing software on July 1. DHHS did not have adequate tests and evaluations in place to make sure the system, which DHHS calls NCTracks, is ready, the audit says.

Morning Memo: More Democratic trouble, N.C. vs. S.C. hoops rivalry renewed

John_Frank — Wed, 22 May 2013 09:02:31 -0400

DEMOCRATIC PARTY'S PROBLEMS GROW: The head of the North Carolina Democratic Party is facing questions about credit card charges made during a March trip to a Las Vegas casino to watch basketball games with his old college buddies. Records obtained by The Associated Press show state Democratic Chairman Randy Voller made $3,327 in charges to Southwest Airlines and the Wynn Las Vegas Hotel on an American Express Business Gold Card embossed with his name and that of the North Carolina Democratic Party. He said he's paid off the balance in full. Much more to this story -- click here.

N.C. House blocks attempt to amend I-95 toll bill

John_Frank — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:36:54 -0400

A House proposal that won unanimous approval last week to allow limited toll collection on Interstate 95 faced an unexpected challenge from toll foes when it returned for a final House floor vote Tuesday.

Shanahan halts moonlighting amid questions about law firm, lobbying

cjarvis — Tue, 21 May 2013 16:01:35 -0400

Department of Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan will no longer practice law on the side while he holds public office, his former law firm announced Tuesday afternoon.

He has transitioned out of his practice at the law firm he started in 2001, and will be on a temporary leave of absence from that firm and from practicing law at all.

ARC leader Dave Richard to DHHS

lynnbonner — Tue, 21 May 2013 15:02:20 -0400

Dave Richard, executive director of the ARC of North Carolina, will be the next director of mental health, developmental disabilities and substance abuse services at the state Department of Health and Human Services.

He replaces acting director Jim Jarrard.

Richard has been at the ARC of NC for nearly 25 years. He starts his new job May 28.

Immigration bill headed to full House

John_Frank — Tue, 21 May 2013 13:04:33 -0400

A major immigration bill is headed to the House floor after clearing a final hurdle Tuesday. The measure --dubbed the RECLAIM NC Act -- grants driving permits to people who didn't enter the country legally. But it also allows law enforcement to detain those suspected of being here illegally.

The legislation could come to the House floor as early as next week.

Vouchers are good/vouchers are bad

lynnbonner — Tue, 21 May 2013 12:33:37 -0400

Debate over the House bill that would offer vouchers to public school students to attend private school turned into a real back and forth Tuesday as people for and against took turns arguing their positions.

The committee heard introductory remarks from the bill sponsors and public comment. Committee members didn't debate the bill, and there was no vote.

Vast majority oppose food tax hike, skeptical of tax overhaul

John_Frank — Tue, 21 May 2013 10:31:12 -0400

Only one in 10 North Carolina voters support a sales tax on groceries, according to a new Public Policy Polling survey, and many appear uninterested in the House and Senate tax plans.

The Senate tax plan would levy a 6.5 percent state and local sales tax on food -- 14 years after state lawmakers repealed it. Local governments currently can tax food at 2 percent but the state doesn't received the revenue.

Morning Memo: Legislature an embarrassment, big issues dominate post-crossover Jones Street

John_Frank — Tue, 21 May 2013 09:03:52 -0400

NEARLY HALF VOTERS CONSIDER SAY #NCGA CAUSING NATIONAL EMBARRASSMENT: One of the more intriguing poll numbers in the latest monthly Public Policy Polling survey due out later today: 45 percent. That's the portion of voters who believe the N.C. General Assembly is causing the state "national embarrassment." The poll question comes after a number of hot-button legislative issues received national attention -- and ridicule. Another 31 percent don't think the state legislature is a blemish and another 24 percent are undecided. (More from poll below.)

House debuts new school voucher bill

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 17:00:25 -0400

House lawmakers will consider a revamped plan to provide taxpayer dollars to help send public school students to private schools.

Rep. Rob Bryan, a Charlotte Republican and lead sponsor of House Bill 944, said the new provisions help address concerns about accountability by requiring schools that receive more than $300,000 in voucher money to submit to an audit. Another part of the bill requires schools with more than 25 voucher students to report aggregate test scores.

Jonathan Broyhill admits involvement in Hahn stabbing

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 15:56:16 -0400

Jonathan Wayne Broyhill admitted to police his “involvement” in the fatal stabbing of Democratic fundraiser Jamie Hahn last month, according to a search warrant made public today.

Police have said that Jamie Hahn and her husband Nation were attacked with a knife at their North Raleigh home on April 22. According to the warrant, Broyhill told investigators that he brought the weapon from his home on Glascock Street when he visited the couple that day. Read more here.

Advocacy group wants Shanahan to disclose clients, or resign

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:37:18 -0400

Now that the N.C. Senate is trying to move the State Bureau of Investigation to the N.C. Department of Public Safety, an outside group is putting a spotlight on Secretary Kieran Shanahan's record.

Progress North Carolina Action, a political group opposed to the Republican governor and legislature, is trying to draw attention to a News & Observer report earlier this month about Shanahan moonlighting in a second job. To keep his law firm role, Progress North Carolina says Shanahan should release a client list -- or resign office.

Inside the Senate's transportation spending priorities

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:28:56 -0400

Here are some of the transportation funding and policy changes outlined in the proposed Senate budget (PDF) released Sunday. Some of these are new proposals, and others were previously aired this spring in separate legislation:

McCrory highlights his concerns with Senate budget plan

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:27:09 -0400

Gov. Pat McCrory is making his concerns known with the Senate budget. In a statement, McCrory said he is "pleased the Senate's budget proposal aligns with some of our major priorities." But his office issued a list of "areas for further review," aka "where the Senate went off-track."

They include: "elimination of Special Superior Court judges; transfer of the SBI; exclusion of drug treatment courts; no salary increases for state employees; no expansion of pre-K; no eugenics compensation; and does not allow for routine legal services in each agency."

Cooper says SBI needs independence, move risks cover-ups

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:18:26 -0400

From AP: North Carolina's Democratic attorney general is opposing a state Senate budget provision that moves much of an investigative unit from his department to one headed by an appointee of Republican Gov. Pat McCrory.

Roy Cooper spoke against the idea Monday, alongside police chiefs and prosecutors who also oppose moving the State Bureau of Investigation to the Department of Public Safety, which includes all other law enforcement agencies. Opponents argued the move will inhibits the agency's independence from the executive branch, but they stopped short of calling it politically motivated.

Senate offers details on its budget plan

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:14:11 -0400

The state Senate’s $20.6 billion budget proposal has no raises for state employees, puts new limits on health services for some Medicaid patients, and anticipates a tax cut.

Leading senators discussed their reasoning behind the budget plan, which affects every taxpayer, public school student, and some businesses looking to move to the state.

U.S. Senate as polarized as the early 1900s

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 10:04:41 -0400

The recent debates in Washington about budget cuts and guns show increasing evidence of polarization, a new study highlights.

Researchers at Duke University and UNC-Chapel Hill visualized the divide in the U.S. Senate going back to the start of the 20th century by analyzing voting data. “We have not seen the current level of partisanship since the early 1900s,” professors James Moody of Duke and Peter Mucha of UNC-CH found. (Maybe this is why some in the U.S. Senate don't think so highly of political science research.)

Morning Memo: Senate budget on the table

John_Frank — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:24:44 -0400

SENATE BUDGET TIME: The state Senate released a $20.58 billion proposed budget late Sunday night that would eliminate class-size limits for the youngest public school students, move the State Bureau of Investigation to a department the governor’s appointee controls and puts various environmental programs under the control of a state agency. The proposal represents a 2.3 percent increase over the current budget and is about $17 million short of the budget Gov. Pat McCrory proposed in March.

N.C. Senate proposed budget at $20.58 billion

lynnbonner — Sun, 19 May 2013 20:18:25 -0400

The N.C. Senate's budget proposal will clock in at $20.58 billion, just short of Gov. Pat McCrory's $20.6 billion proposal, according to Senate leader Phil Berger's office.

The full budget is expected to be made public later tonight. According to a press release, the budget includes $10.2 million in the second year for a "pay for excellence" system for teachers, and eliminates the "flex cut" to local schools, a budget practice that had districts returning money to the state each year.

Jim Cain also looking at Hagan race

cjarvis — Sat, 18 May 2013 20:16:13 -0400

Raleigh’s Jim Cain, former ambassador to Denmark and one-time president of the Carolina Hurricanes hockey team, tells Roll Call he is taking a serious look at running in the Republican primary next year to challenge U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan, D-N.C.

“The race is indeed something that I am considering,” Cain told the Washington, D.C. publication. “Many friends and supporters around the state are encouraging me to challenge Senator Hagan.”

LaRoque trial begins Monday in federal court

cjarvis — Sat, 18 May 2013 13:25:12 -0400

UPDATED

Former state Rep. Stephen LaRoque of Kinston will go on trial in federal court in Greenville on Monday on charges that he enriched himself with U.S. Department of Agriculture money that he was supposed to loan to struggling rural business owners.

The trial is expected to be protracted because it involves complex financial transactions that the government contends amounted to theft and money laundering. LaRoque, who is represented by Raleigh attorneys Joseph Cheshire V and Elliot Abrams, says prosecutors are trying to call legitimate transactions theft.

GOP's plan to rewrite Jordan Lake protections not popular with local delegation

cjarvis — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:25:27 -0400

A side note to one of the controversial bills that sped through crossover week this week.

SB515, which would repeal current environmental protections at Jordan Lake so that new ones could be written, is a GOP-promoted idea. But not all Republicans are on board.

The three Republican senators whose districts include parts of Jordan Lake voted against it, although they didn’t take part in the floor debate. That would be Sens. Neil Hunt, Tamara Barringer and Chad Barefoot.

McCrory, Berger & Tillis say they're on the same Medicaid reform page

cjarvis — Fri, 17 May 2013 15:59:11 -0400

The top three Republican politicians in the state announced Friday they are all together when it comes to Medicaid reform.

Gov. Pat McCrory, Senate Leader Phil Berger and House Speaker Thom Tillis sent out a joint news release emphasizing that – despite criticism of the move toward privatization – the state is proceeding with plans to reign in costs in the $13 billion program.

McCrory signs five bills

cjarvis — Fri, 17 May 2013 12:56:06 -0400

Updated

Gov. Pat McCrory signed five bills into law on Friday:

HB484 – Establishes a permit program to place and operate wind energy plants. DENR will both help wind developers get started and deny permits when necessary.

“This is a great law because it shows that we are serious about our responsibility for balancing our environmental and economic interests, including North Carolina’s strong military presence,” DENR Secretary John Skvarla said in a statement the governor's office released. “We can and will protect the environment and our citizens, while also creating a clear regulatory path for the development of wind energy in North Carolina.”

Morning Memo: John Edwards mounting a return to public life?

John_Frank — Fri, 17 May 2013 07:38:26 -0400

EDWARDS REGROUPS: Former presidential contender John Edwards has reactivated his license to practice law and is setting out on the speaking circuit, the Associated Press reports. The former U.S. senator and 2004 Democratic vice-presidential nominee is scheduled to appear June 6 at a private retreat in Orlando, Fla., for lawyer clients of the marketing firm PMP.

Sharia law's tie to North Carolina

John_Frank — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:36:20 -0400

What North Carolina company wanted to use Islamic Sharia law? A: The private military contractor Blackwater.

On Thursday, the state House has passed a bill to eliminate the use of Sharia law in North Carolina. Opponents of Sharia like Rep. John Blust of Greensboro say Islamic law threatens to how North Carolinians marry, divorce and determine child custody: “It’s creeping, but it is stated within those who are pushing it, that is their goal: to have this type of law rule the world."

N.C. House debuts competing tax plan

John_Frank — Thu, 16 May 2013 19:32:45 -0400

The divide between legislative Republicans about how to revamp the state’s tax code became clear Thursday, as House leaders unveiled a dueling plan, calling it a more measured approach.

The House legislation (Read it here.) offers smaller income tax cuts in exchange for fewer new taxes on services. Supporters pledged it would give a break to all taxpayers but the numbers remain unclear. It contrasts greatly with a sweeping Senate proposal that some experts believe could leave many people with a tax hike, a point its supporters dispute.

North Carolina would be safe from Sharia law, under bill

cjarvis — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:50:26 -0400

For the past few years there has been a widespread fear among some conservatives that Islamic law is a threat to the constitutional rights of Americans. A number of state legislatures began passing bills outlawing Sharia law.

North Carolina’s House of Representatives became the latest on Thursday, passing a bill prohibiting the application of foreign laws in this state. The bill specifies foreign law cannot be considered in divorce, child custody or support, alimony or equitable distribution cases, if that would violate any party’s constitutional rights.

Final House vote on abortion bill ends in rancor

cjarvis — Thu, 16 May 2013 16:15:09 -0400

The House gave its final blessing Thursday to the bill prohibiting insurance coverage for abortions in the state health exchange and local government plans – with a fair amount of rancor over the divisive issue.

The final vote was 73-39, with Rep. William Brisson, a Democrat representing Johnston, Sampson and Bladen counties, breaking ranks with his party again.

House lets state collect tolls for new lanes on 95, elsewhere

cjarvis — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:45:58 -0400

In a unanimous vote Thursday, the House agreed to let the state collect tolls to help pay for the addition of new lanes on I-95 and other interstate highways -- but only if drivers retain the option to drive toll-free in the old lanes.

Eastern North Carolina political leaders and residents of the eight I-95 counties have opposed a state Department of Transportation proposal to collect tolls on both new and old lanes to finance a $4.4 billion widening and overhaul for I-95.

The aging interstate would be expanded from four to eight lanes on the busiest 50 miles between I-40 in Johnston County and St. Pauls in Robeson County, and six lanes on the remainder of its 182 miles between the South Carolina and Virginia borders. Under the original proposal, drivers would begin paying tolls in all lanes before the project is finished, The N&O's Bruce Siceloff reports.

Sing along with Tift and Bruce: What's up with transportation bills?

cjarvis — Thu, 16 May 2013 15:29:25 -0400

Bruce Siceloff, The N&O's transportation reporter, brings us up to speed on key legislation on our highways and byways in his Crosstown Traffic blog. He's in a musical mood today:

Raleigh's Tift Merritt has a lovely song that comes to mind on the General Assembly's frantic "Crossover Day." Any bill that didn't clear one chamber by the end of the day Thursday was eliminated from consideration by the other chamber.

Senate to release $20.4 billion budget proposal next week

lynnbonner — Thu, 16 May 2013 09:27:51 -0400

The legislature will jump right from crossover into budget debates. The Senate budget is set to be released online Sunday evening, said Sen. Pete Brunstetter, a chief budget writer.

Budget subcommittees will talk about the proposal in Monday meetings. On Tuesday, the budget proposal will go to the Senate Appropriations Committee and come to the floor on Wednesday and Thursday.

Morning Memo: Amid crossover, the unfinished tax plan takes center stage

John_Frank — Thu, 16 May 2013 07:46:00 -0400

HOUSE TO UNVEIL TAX PLAN OUTLINE:House Republicans plan to offer their own North Carolina tax overhaul plan Thursday that would reduce personal and corporate income tax rates and expand the sales tax to cover more services. The proposal's scope is much narrower than what Senate counterparts offered as GOP legislators try to fulfill a commitment to carry out tax reform this year.

House ends session after 10 hours on floor

John_Frank — Wed, 15 May 2013 23:52:42 -0400

Just before midnight Wednesday, the House adjourned. Republican leaders saved a number of controversial measures for the end with a measure to reject Sharia law as the grand finale of the night. The lawmakers spent about 10 hours on the floor. Most bills were approved, such as an ALEC-drawn measure to exempt food companies from liability lawsuits, nga bill asserting religious freedom and another to require health insurers to cover autism. Two bills were shot down: a bill to create a new kind of corporations and a bill to grant local law enforcement officers whistleblower protections. (See a more detailed roundup in the morning.

Asleep at wheel day before, Democrats try to fight personnel bill

John_Frank — Wed, 15 May 2013 18:51:37 -0400

Democratic lawmakers on Wednesday tried to fight legislation backed by Gov. Pat McCrory to curb civil service protections for state employees -- a day after they missed the bill on the calendar and inadvertently voted to give it preliminary approval.

Bill would allow employers to exclude birth control from health insurance plans

cjarvis — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:45:58 -0400

Pictured left to right: Paige Maxwell and Melissa Reed of Planned Parenthood, Tami Fitzgerald of N.C. Values Coalition, and Barbara Holt of N.C. Right to Life.

Senate committee approves school construction bill

John_Frank — Wed, 15 May 2013 14:43:56 -0400

A state Senate panel approved a bill Wednesday that would allow Boards of Commissioners in nine counties, including Wake, to take away from their local school boards their authority to build and own schools.

Senate Bill 236 would allow boards of commissioners in those counties to take over all facets of school construction, including the locating, constructing, owning, maintaining, renovating and building of schools. These responsibilities have traditionally been held by school systems.