The Senate gave overwhelming support Monday night to a bill that would require a permit from the State Fire Marshall to issue a permit for fireworks displays.

The bill is in response to a fatal accident July 4 in which four men were killed and a fifth injured on Ocracoke Island.

"It is imperative for us to reflect and see how we can learn from tragedies," said Sen. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat. "There is a need for us to bring more clarity."

Davis said current law allows a county commission to authorize an "expert" to run fireworks displays.

"When we look at the word 'expert,' I think that becomes the matter of much subjectivity," Davis said.

More after the jump.

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Senate Democrats shuffled away a bill this week that would allow cities and towns to use taxpayer money to fund campaigns.

Sen. Don Davis, a Snow Hill Democrat who was shepherding the bill in the Senate, diverted it to the state and local government committee Thursday after a floor vote was postponed three times since May 20.

"It's not the time to explore the option for municipalities to authorize public financing," Davis said.

The campaigns would be set up similar to statewide judicial races and several other statewide offices. Candidates who voluntarily participate must abide by limits on contributions to their campaign, but they receive public funds. No city or town is required to adopt the program. City or town council members must vote to participate in it.

Advocates portrayed the legislation as a way to remove the influence of big money from local campaigns, while critics portrayed it as welfare for politicians.

UPDATE: The North Carolina chapter of Americans for Prosperity lobbied heavily against the bill, and state director Dallas Woodhouse on Friday said lawmakers came "to the common sense conclusion that the public cannot stomach being forced to pay for campaigns for city politicians."

A bill would allow mayors to officiate at weddings.

Senate Bill 992 was sponsored by freshman Democratic Sen. Don Davis, the former mayor of Snow Hill, N.C.

The Senate had little debate on the issue, though Sen. Jim Forrester said that he had hoped to add an amendment that would have put a constitutional ban on gay marriage up for a statewide referendum.

Forrester filed a separate bill on the gay-marriage ban that Senate leadership essentially killed by leaving it in committee.

"If we don't get it in the constitution, I'm afraid it's going to happen to us just like Vermont," he said.

The bill passed 35-9 and now heads to the House.

Several other bills this session have also sought to expand who can perform weddings. One already signed into law by Gov. Beverly Perdue, allows Superior Court judges to officiate.

Another bill stuck in a House committee would have allowed any judge, while a third would allow retired judges. A Senate bill to allow any judge passed and is now before a House committee.

The Senate Commerce Committee passed a bill today that would impose tighter regulations on commercial dog breeders, which some proponents call an anti-puppy mill bill.

The bill, among other steps, would license commercial breeders, who are defined as anyone with 15 or more adult female dogs intended for producing puppies. The board of agriculture would establish standards of care for exercise, veterinary care and housing under the bill. It's chief sponsor is Sen. Don Davis, of Snow Hill.

The bill comes after the February raid of a puppy mill in Wayne County where 300 dogs and puppies were seized from unsanitary conditions, some with matted fur and shivering.

Some dog enthusiasts, though, oppose the bill's imposition of government regulation and inspections. The state's pork and meat industries also allege that the bill, backed by the Humane Society of the United States, is that group's first step in trying to ultimately ban meat eating. The Humane Society's president has said that is an unachievable goal and that the organization is fighting to minimize the pain and stress on animals in a variety of industries.

* U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx says murder of Matthew Shephard was not a hate crime, but just a robbery, in floor speech today.

* Gov. Beverly Perdue's office has referred to the "swine flu" in press releases, but they've not had any internal discussion on the best name.

* National Rifle Association also opposes state Sen. Don Davis' "puppy mill" bill; earlier opposed similar House bill.

* Charlotte Observer columnist Jack Betts thinks it's "a bit of quirky irony" that former lobbyist Don Beason is being investigated.

Some recent Senate bills of note:

S.B. 943: Expand Film Credit, Sen. Linda Garrou

S.B. 973: Create Dept. of Military and Veterans Affairs, Sen. Tony Rand 

S.B. 992: Authorize Mayors to Solemnize Marriage, Sen. Don Davis

S.B. 994: Establish State Athletics Commission, Sen. Dan Clodfelter

S.B. 1006: Withholding on Contractors Identified by ITIN, Sen. David Hoyle 

S.B. 1014: Lottery Trust Fund, Sen. Doug Berger

S.B. 1018: Reduce Plastic Bag Use, Sen. Josh Stein

When do legislators start their jobs?

As noted previously, there is some dispute over when exactly Gov. Beverly Perdue's term began. As it turns out, there's a similar situation for state representatives and senators.

According to Article II, Section 9 of the state constitution, the terms of office "shall commence on the first day of January."

This year, most legislators won't be sworn in until the opening day ceremony on Jan. 28, but their terms have already begun in other days. The legislative Web site has already been updated to include the newly elected, and they began receiving their paychecks on Jan. 1.

A few freshman legislators have decided to get started early.

Sen. Josh Stein of Raleigh was sworn in today at noon in a ceremony in the capitol, while Sen. Malcolm Graham of Charlotte was sworn in there.

Update: Justice Robin Hudson swore in Stein before a crowd of about 250 people, including Raleigh Mayor Charles Meeker, Sen. Marc Basnight and Rep. Deborah Ross, among others.

"I thought it would be nice to have an opportunity to be with supporters and friends to thank them because (the campaign) as a collective effort," he said.

He said Sens. Don Vaughan and Don Davis will also hold early swearings-in.

State Rep. Alma Adams will again chair the Legislative Black Caucus.

At a meeting on Dec. 4, the caucus unanimously re-elected the Greensboro Democrat to a second term as chairwoman, despite speculation that she may take a role in Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue's administration.

Sen. Malcolm Graham was also chosen as first vice chair; Rep. Earline Parmon, second vice chair; Rep. Annie Mobley, secretary; Sen. Tony Foriest, treasurer; Rep. Garland Pierce, caucus chaplain; and Sen. Floyd McKissick, parliamentarian.

According to a press release, the caucus' goal is to promote legislative policies "responsive to the needs of all North Carolinians, particularly African Americans." In recent years, it has played a role in passing the state's Earned Income Tax Credit, among other things.

In 2007, the caucus was criticized when it was revealed that relatives of five members received college scholarships from its foundation.

The caucus will now have 31 members, including newly elected Reps. Elmer Floyd of Fayetteville, Pearl Burris Floyd of Gaston County and Nick Mackey of Charlotte and Sen. Don Davis of Snow Hill. In 2007, it had just 28 members.

Burris Floyd will be the group's only Republican.

The Senate class of 2008 has some big shoes to fill.

For the most part, the freshman senators are taking the seats of lawmakers who went on to higher offices — or at least ran for higher office.

The five (or six, depending on your definition) may face higher expectations as a result.

Here's a quick look at the new senators-elect:

Don Vaughan (D): A politically active Greensboro attorney who served seven terms on the City Council will be taking the seat of U.S. Sen.-elect Kay Hagan.

David Rouzer (R): A former aide to U.S. Sen. Jesse Helms from McGee's Crossroads will take over the Johnston County seat of unsuccessful gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith.

Debbie Clary (R): The state representative from Cherryville, the sole Republican win from its November wishlist, will take the seat of Lt. Gov.-elect Walter Dalton.

Josh Stein (D): A well-connected Raleigh lawyer who worked for John Edwards' in D.C. and served as deputy attorney general will be taking the Raleigh seat of Treasurer-elect Janet Cowell.

Don Davis (D): An Air Force veteran, college professor and the popular (and youngest ever) mayor of Snow Hill will be taking the seat of retiring Sen. John Kerr III.

Bob Rucho (R): A former four-term state senator, appointed to unsuccessful lieutenant governor candidate Robert Pittenger's seat in June, is already running for a leadership role.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the length of Vaughan's tenure.

Related: The House Class of 2008 

Mary Fant Donnan won by a two-to-one margin.

The Winson-Salem Democrat sewed up the nomination for labor commissioner in a runoff primary held today.

With all 100 counties reporting, Donnan has 43,217 votes, or 68 percent. Former labor commissioner John C. Brooks has 20,445, or 32 percent. She now faces incumbent Republican Cherie Berry in November.

Turnout was a paltry 1.9 percent.

In a runoff for the Democratic nomination in state Senate District 5, Don Davis beat Kathy Taft, 63 percent to 37 percent. The seat is currently held by retiring Democratic Sen. John Kerr III.

Davis, the mayor of Snow Hill, had slightly edged Taft, a member of the State Board of Education, in a six-way race in the May primary, but failed to garner a majority. He now faces four-term Rep. Louis Pate, a Wayne County Republican.

And in a runoff for the Republican nomination in state House District 67, Justin Burr defeated Rep. Ken Furr, 58 to 42 percent. Burr had slightly edged Furr in a three-way race on May 6.

Furr was appointed to the seat in August of 2007 after former Rep. David Almond resigned. Burr faces no opposition in November.