How long to build a Cabinet?
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on December 5, 2008 - 10:54am.
Is Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue taking too long to build her Cabinet?
Not if you use Gov. Mike Easley as a yardstick.
Democratic strategist Gary Pearce warned Perdue today that "the press will start questioning her pace" sometime next week if she doesn't name some of her top appointments.
But Perdue has plenty of time to beat the molasses-slow pace of her predecessor.
A search of contemporary news reports shows Easley didn't make his first appointment until Jan. 8 of 2000. By mid-January, he squared away a few posts: Crime Control, Juvenile Justice, Administration, Correction, Cultural Resources and Environment and Natural Resources.
Two more weeks and Easley added Transportation and Health and Human Services.
And then, a wait. It wasn't until March 7 that Easley, a woodworking hobbyist, put the finish on his Cabinet with his picks for Commerce and Revenue.
Easley seems to have been satisfied with his decisions, however. Seven of the 10 are still working for him as he finishes his second term.
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What does the Commerce Secretary do?
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on December 4, 2008 - 3:32pm.Leads the state's efforts to recruit and retain businesses.
As the head of the N.C. Department of Commerce, the governor-appointed secretary works to recruit and retain major employers, negotiate corporate incentives and boost state tourism.
Many political observers consider it one of the more important posts.
The department houses more than a dozen independent agencies with staff that report to a board or commission and not the secretary.
In 2008, the department had 459 staffers and a $47.6 million budget.
The department was created in 1971 under the administration of Gov. Bob Scott mostly as an umbrella for pre-existing regulatory agencies on such pedestrian subjects as alcohol, banking and cemeteries.
Under Gov. Jim Hunt's administration in 1977, it was reconstituted to focus on economic development.
Between 1989 and 1993, the agency was briefly named the Department of Economic and Community Development.
The longest-serving commerce secretary is Jim Fain, a member of Gov. Mike Easley's "Iron Cabinet," who served from 2001 through the end of his administration.
The first female Commerce secretary was Estell C. Lee, who served from 1989 to 1991. Since 1977, all other Commerce secretaries have been white men.
Other commerce secretaries in recent history have included future Sen. Lauch Faircloth, former U.S. Sen. Jim Broyhill and political insider Norris Tolson.
It is one of 10 Cabinet-level positions appointed by the governor to head state agencies.
The department is outlined in general statutes under Article 10 of G.S. 143B.
Fain will move on from Commerce
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on December 4, 2008 - 1:45pm.Jim Fain will not remain secretary of commerce under Gov-elect Beverly Perdue.
A member of Gov. Mike Easley's so-called "Iron Cabinet," the longest-serving secretary of the state Department of Commerce is moving on after the end of the Easley administration, according to a department spokeswoman.
"Secretary Fain has no plans to continue with the new administration," said Kathy Neal.
She said that she does not know his future plans yet, but she said she does not think he's retiring for good, but more likely looking for a new challenge.
"I don't think it's in his nature" to retire, she joked.
Fain was appointed Commerce secretary in 2001. The position is key to the state's efforts to recruit and retain businesses and is heavily involved in the use of state incentives.
Perdue's transition team has not made any announcements on Fain's replacement, although state Reps. Bill Owens and Jim Harrell, Sen. David Hoyle, Charlotte businesswoman Crandall Bowles and former deputy Tony Copeland have been rumored to be under consideration.
What is the Iron Cabinet?
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on December 3, 2008 - 3:45pm.Seven Cabinet members appointed by Gov. Mike Easley in 2001 who stayed through the end of his administration.
After winning his first election as governor, Easley appointed 10 people to his Cabinet after nearly three months of deliberation.
The following stayed through the tail end of his administration in late 2008:
Theodis Beck, Secretary of Corrections, reappointed Jan. 11, 2001 after serving under Gov. Jim Hunt since April of 1999
George Sweat, Secretary of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention, reappointed Jan. 9, 2001, after serving under Hunt since 2000.
Bryan Beatty, Secretary of Crime Control and Public Safety, appointed Jan. 8, 2001
Libba Evans, Secretary of Cultural Resources, appointed Jan. 11, 2001
Bill Ross, Secretary of Environment and Natural Resources, appointed Jan. 15, 2001
Lyndo Tippett, Secretary of Transportation, appointed Jan. 25, 2001
Jim Fain, Secretary of Commerce, appointed March 7, 2001
N&O political reporter Rob Christensen nicknamed the group "the Iron Cabinet" in a March 1, 2007, column.
The Iron Cabinet, continued?
Submitted by ryanteaguebeckwith on November 20, 2008 - 2:49pm.
Will the Iron Cabinet outlast Easley?
At least three members of Gov. Mike Easley's administration may be interested in continuing in their posts, according to reliable sources in Raleigh:
Bryan Beatty: The former director of the State Bureau of Investigation has headed the N.C. Department of Crime Control and Public Safety since 2001. But will continuing problems with the State Highway Patrol dog him?
Bill Ross: The environmental attorney has been head of the N.C. Department of Environment and Natural Resources since 2001 and claims the Clean Smokestacks Bill and the purchase of Chimney Rock State Park among his accomplishments.
Dempsey Benton: The newest member of Easley's Cabinet may have the best shot at staying. Brought in to clean up problems with the mental health system, the former Raleigh city manager was even cited as a keeper by Republican candidate Fred Smith.
Already, Easley's Cabinet is well-known for its longevity, with many of the original appointees from 2001 still serving.
Keeping some on board could be politically difficult for Gov.-elect Beverly Perdue, who promised to run a more hands-on administration.
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