Norquist campaigns against Jones

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 17:43:24 -0500

Anti-tax activist Grover Norquist campaigned across the 3rd Congressional district Monday, saying that Republican Congressman Walter Jones had broken his anti-tax pledge.

Norquist said Jones had violated an anti-tax pledge by voting last year for major farm and energy bills, Rob Christensen reports.

Norquist said he had known Jones for years, and had sent letters and talked to him by telephone urging him to avoid voting for a tax hike.

"There were flares up in the sky that were tax increases," Norquist said.

Glen Downs, Jones' chief of staff, said in both cases the farm bill and the energy bill were major pieces of legislation, and only a small portion involved increasing revenues — involving renegotiating oil company leases in the energy bill.

"There has never been a straight up tax increase that Walter has voted for," Downs said.

More after the jump.

What is the Task Force for a Healthier N.C.?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 08 Nov 2007 13:55:11 -0500

Answer:

A partnership between the N.C. Health and Wellness Trust Fund and UNC-Chapel Hill.

The task force was chaired by Lt. Gov. Beverly Perdue. State Sen. Bill Purcell, state Rep. Verla Inkso and Trust Fund Commissioner Carole Bruce served as co-chairs.

The task force issued reports on expanding health insurance coverage for small businesses and providing insurance for children. It has also researched the State Children's Health Insurance Program and published reports on Medicare Part D in 2006 and 2007.

The task force's director is Dr. Daniel Gitterman, an assistant professor of public policy at UNC. Additional work was done by the Lewin Group, a national health-care consulting firm.

The task force is funded by a $300,000 grant from the Health and Wellness Trust Fund.