Lobbyists Jack Cozort, left, and Andrew Romanet Jr. confer as they look over the lobby between the House and Senate chambers Thursday, June 14, 2007.

"This week has been a bit different because of the death of Sandy Basnight," said Cozort, also an attorney. "The funeral services slowed a lot of things down.. [but] we need to stop and take time and remember people like that because she was a wonderful, wonderful person."

The wife of Senate leader Marc Basnight died Sunday. Cozort added that the Basnight family has given a lot to the state. 

Lobbyists may have had second thoughts about sending flowers to Senate leader Marc Basnight.

An e-mail from the N.C. Professional Lobbyists Association yesterday warned that giving flowers for a funeral could be construed as a gift under the state's new ethics law.

That came from some off-the-cuff thinking by the head of the State Ethics Commission, which has not yet issued a formal written opinion.

According to the e-mail, a memorial donation to Basnight's church was OK, but flowers or food could run afoul of the gift ban. The safest route:

A signed sympathy card by a lobbyist or principal does not meet the definition of gift. Therefore, written communications do not trigger a lobbyist or principal report to the Secretary of State.

Hat Tip: The Insider ($)

The state Senate will not meet Wednesday.

Senators are planning to attend the funeral of Sandy Basnight, Senate president pro tem Marc Basnight's wife. She died Sunday at age 59 after a long illness, Lynn Bonner reports.

The House plans to meet at 7 p.m. Wednesday to give members time to return from the noon funeral on Roanoke Island.

Some senators are planning to travel together by bus. A mass transportation effort was also being organized on the House side.

Though her husband was one of the state's most powerful politicians, Sandy Basnight avoided the spotlight.

At Sen. Marc Basnight's swearing-in ceremonies, she would let one of her daughters hold his Bible. She never tried to impress people by telling them he was the Senate president pro tem.

After she died Sunday, Sen. David Hoyle, a Gaston County Democrat who rooms with Marc Basnight during legislative sessions, said she was "one of the most genuine people I've ever met."  (N&O)

While her husband was in Raleigh, Sandy Basnight ran the Lone Cedar Cafe, which burned down May 1. About 100 people worked there.

"Sandy was a terrific partner for Marc and in her own way she was as much a servant of this state as he has been," said House Speaker Joe Hackney, D-Orange. (AP)

A funeral will be held tomorrow in Wanchese. A number of legislative meetings have been canceled because most of the state's top politicians will be there.

For once, the spotlight will be on Sandy Basnight.

Sandy Tillett Basnight, 59, wife of Senate leader Marc Basnight of Manteo, died Sunday night after a long illness.

Basnight took a leave of absence from the Senate last week to be with his wife while she was being treated in Chapel Hill, Lynn Bonner reports.

Though married to one of the most powerful politicians in the state, Sandy Basnight maintained a low profile. She ran the Lone Cedar Cafe, their restaurant on the Outer Banks.

In addition to her husband, she is survived by two daughters, Vicki and Caroline.

Services will be held on Wednesday, June 13 in Wanchese, N.C. Further details are pending.

Donations may be made in Sandy Basnight's name to Bethany United Methodist Church, 101 Old Wharf Road, Wanchese, NC, 27981.

Notes and cards to Senator Basnight and his family may be sent to 2007 Legislative Building, Raleigh, N.C., 27601.