Judges would be allowed to consider whether racial bias played a role in the decision to seek or impose the death penalty, according to a bill on which the N.C. House voted Tuesday evening after a long and emotionally charged debate.

"This is a fairness bill," said Rep. Larry Womble, the Winston-Salem Democrat who helped champion the bill. "If we're going to kill people, we must be as fair and objective as we can. This allows one more chance for justice to be blind. ... It's not a get-out-of-jail free card for anybody."

Democrats cited studies showing blacks are far more likely to be sentenced to death in North Carolina than whites. Further, a defendant is 3.5 times more likely to face the death penalty when the victim is white than when the victim is black.

Republicans strongly oppose the measure, saying its passage will clog the courts with frivolous appeals, cost millions and impose a de facto moratorium on executions.

"This bill is not really about race," said Rep. Paul Stam of Wake County, the minority leader. "It's about the death penalty."

The N.C. Racial Justice Act passed its second reading in the House 61-55, with every Republican and four Democrats voting no.

A final House vote could come today, and the bill would then return to the Senate, where it may have a difficult time gaining approval and may require a compromise. That's because the House version left out a section of the Senate bill designed to help remove obstacles that have effectively halted executions for two years. Senate leaders said that provision must be included for the Racial Justice Act to pass that chamber. (N&O)

An effort this week to help drum up interest in a bill to support past victims of forced sterilization in the state had an unfortunate opening line.

“Good Morning Eugenics Supporters,” read the e-mail sent from Rep. Larry Womble’s office.

Womble, a Winston-Salem Democrat, has been a longtime supporter of reparations for the more than 7,600 estimated people who were sterilized in the state’s former eugenics program. He also is a key sponsor of a bill calling for, among other things, the development of counseling services for eugenics victims, reports April Bethea of The Charlotte Observer.

That bill will be heard Tuesday by the House Education committee. The e-mail urged recipients to attend the meeting to show their support.

Tiffany Jones, an intern in Womble’s office who sent the e-mail, said the message was meant to notify bill supporters and the media that it was on the calendar.

She said the opening line hadn’t drawn any complaints, but noted “it wasn’t intended to offend anyone.”

The House approved a bill Thursday that would extend furloughs that are the equivalent of half percent pay cuts to include legislative and judiciary employees.

Gov. Beverly Perdue ordered the furloughs last month after learning that the state was short an additional $1 billion. The state constitution separates the branches of government and Perdue's order applied to the executive branch.

"The separation of powers sort of says she doesn't have any control over the legislature to do this," said Rep. Mickey Michaux, a sponsor of the bill.

The bill also seeks to ensure that retirement contributions and other benefits are unaffected by the furloughs.

Rep. Larry Womble, a Winston-Salem Democrat, said he was concerned that the legislature wasn't trying to spare lower-income employees from sacrifice.

"I don't believe it's fairness when it comes to this if you include janitors, maids, the dishwasher, the person who mows the grass, the one who cleans the bathrooms and mops the halls and clearns our offices," Womble said.

The bill moves now moves to the Senate.

It's not good manners to gobble your food, but some kids have no choice when they're at school because their lunch periods are so short.

Legislators who aren't so much worried about etiquette as they are about poor health want the State Board of Education to find out how long schools give students to eat lunch, Lynn Bonner reports.

State guidelines call for half-hour lunch periods, said Rep. Doug Yongue, one of the bill sponsors, but schools routinely set aside less time, with 17-minute lunch breaks reported in some high schools. He said that speed eating contributes to obesity and diabetes.

The House Education Committee passed the bill oday at Yongue's request.

"We need to see if we can do better than 17 minutes," said Rep. Larry Womble.

Recent House bills of note:

H.B. 661: City Managers on School Boards, Rep. Ray Warren

H.B. 677: Require a "First in Flight" Background, Reps. Lucy Allen, Lorene Coates, Nelson Cole and Becky Carney

H.B. 691: State Contracts/Slavery Profits, Reps. Larry Womble, Earl Jones, Annie Mobley and Earline Parmon

H.B. 708: Furlough of State Employees, Reps. Ray Rapp, Rick Glazier and Margaret Dickson

H.B. 711: Sales Tax Fairness Act, Reps. Winkie Wilkins and Dale Folwell

H.B. 724: Open Records Attorneys' Fees, Reps. George Cleveland and Curtis Blackwood

* A proposed ban on sending text messages while driving, already watered down from the original proposal, is struggling in the legislature.

* The Arc of North Carolina says Gov. Beverly Perdue's budget "could have been worse" for the mental health and developmental disability community.

* Democratic Rep. Larry Womble of Winston-Salem wants companies that do business with the state to disclose their historical ties to slavery.

* Republican National Committee member Ada Fisher thinks chairman Michael Steele should step down, but she's not happy her e-mail was leaked.

Black history week came to the legislature with a shout.

Legislators from both chambers met this afternoon in the Senate to hear from The Healing Force, a Winston-Salem-based song and storytelling troupe.

Founded in 1975, the husband-and-wife team of Joseph and Gail Anderson — and later their son and daughter — perform traditional African storytelling and music. They were invited by Gail's classmate, Rep. Larry Womble, for a belated recognition of black history month.

After performing a traditional West African song, they introduced themselves to lawmakers with a classic African call-and-response that made the usual "the chair recognizes the gentleman from Cumberland County" seem wan by comparison.

"Thank you so much for having us come and share with you. We are the Healing Force. My name is Gail, but everybody calls me Mama Gail 'cause I'm the mama," said Gail Anderson. "Can you say 'Good afternoon, Mama Gail?'"

The legislators responded with verve. Son Karim Anderson then asked to be greeted with "Ehhhh Karim," while daughter Sonji Gardner asked for "Heyyyy Son....ji."

But the most energetic response was for Joseph Anderson, who was greeted with "Hey-heeeyyy hey Baba Joseph."

Dome looks forward to Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton recognizing "Baba" Tony Rand soon.

A few notable House bills filed:

H.B. 132: Jury Duty Tax Deduction, Rep. Timothy Spear

H.B. 133: Prudent Management of Institutional Funds, Rep. Deborah Ross

H.B. 134: Assault State or Local Officer or Employee, Rep. Russell Tucker

H.B. 135: Broadband Service Providers, Reps. Bill Faison, Joe Tolson, Phil Haire and Thom Tillis

H.B. 137: Capital Procedure / Severe Mental Disability, Reps. Verla Insko, Pricey Harrison, Larry Womble and Paul Luebke

H.B. 149: Require Arts Educ. Credit for Graduation, Reps. Becky Carney, Rick Glazier, Alma Adams and Linda Johnson

H.B. 154: Appoint State Superintendent, Rep. Leo Daughtry

H.B. 155: Appoint State School Superintendent, Reps. Haire, Harold Brubaker, Johnson and Marvin Lucas

Which legislators have tobacco companies in their districts?

With the General Assembly again considering enacting a smoking ban in restaurants and workplaces, Dome decided to see who represents the tobacco firms.

Alternative Brands, Mocksville:
Rep. Julia Howard, Sen. Andrew Brock

Commonwealth Brands, Reidsville:
Rep. Nelson Cole, Sen. Phil Berger

Lorillard, Greensboro:
Rep. Maggie Jeffus, Sen. Don Vaughan

Philip Morris, Concord:
Rep. Jeff Barnhart, Sen. Fletcher Hartsell

Reynolds American, Winston-Salem:
Rep. Larry Womble, Sen. Linda Garrou

Reynolds American, Tobaccoville:
Rep. Dale Folwell, Sen. Pete Brunstetter

In the 2007 session, Reps. Howard, Jeffus, Barnhart and Womble voted for a smoking ban in public places, while Reps. Cole and Folwell voted against it.