NCFREE's House endorsements

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:37:43 -0400

A pro-business group has made its first round of House endorsements.

The political action committee of the N.C. Forum for Research and Education endorsed 25 Democrats and all but three Republicans in the state House of Representatives.

The endorsements were based on the senators' voting records on business issues, how business-friendly they are compared to their district and their effectiveness in office.

Among Republicans, the group endorsed House Minority Leader Paul Stam, Rep. Nelson Dollar and Rep. Marilyn Avila, among others.

It did not endorse Reps. Joe Boylan, Carolyn Justice and Ken Furr, who was appointed in August.

Among Democrats, the group endorsed House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman, Rep. W.A. "Winkie" Wilkins, and Rep. Bruce Goforth.

It did not endorse House Speaker Joe Hackney.

A full list after the jump.

House back in session

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 14:29:38 -0400

Like an extra scene after the credits, the legislature came back today.

In its first act, the House seated newly appointed Rep. Ken Furr. The Albemarle Republican replaces former Rep. David Almond, who resigned last month after a personnel complaint.

After the governor's veto message was read, Rep. Cullie Tarleton took the opportunity to praise Appalachian State University's football team for its upset win over the University of Michigan last weekend.

"This was the all-time football upset," said the Blowing Rock Democrat.

Rep. Curtis Blackwood then thanked his colleagues for their thank-you notes and flowers after his father's funeral.

Oh, and that veto? The House went into recess so that Democrats could go back to caucus at 2:45. House Republicans will caucus at 3 p.m., "so we can find out what the Democrats" are doing, as Minority Leader Paul Stam put it.

No word yet on what House Democrats are thinking about the veto, but if they had walked in with the votes for an override, they probably would have just done it.