Israel

Hagan's 2008 legislative agenda

ryanteaguebeckwith — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:58:40 -0400

Immigration, energy efficiency, and soccer.

These are just a few of the topics taken up by state Sen. Kay Hagan in the current legislative short session. The Democratic nominee for U.S. Senate sponsored one and cosponsored 10 non-budget bills so far in 2008.

Two bills seem most likely to come up in her race against U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole. The first, which she cosponsored, would require employers use the federal E-Verify program to check that employees can legally work in the United States.

That program, you may recall, was touted by former Republican gubernatorial candidate Fred Smith, who used it at his road- and home-building businesses.

Another bill she cosponsored would create a state sales tax holiday for a week each April on energy-efficient light bulbs, home appliances, electronics and insulation. It would be similar to the popular back-to-school holiday already in effect.

On a lighter note, the bill she sponsored could also be used to remind political commentators of a popular swing vote constituency: Soccer moms. The bill would create a special "Support Soccer" license plate.

Other bills she cosponsored: Change the local requirements for recall petitions in the city of Greensboro. Increase the monthly pension for retired firefighters and paramedics. Limit or exempt baked goods from the state sales tax. Increase benefits from the State Health Plan. Allow the legislature to meet in Greensboro one day for its centennial. Honor Korean War Veterans. Commemorate Israel's 60th anniversary.

Price: Bush took a 'cheap shot'

bniolet — Fri, 16 May 2008 16:15:12 -0400

U.S. Rep. David Price says he’s disappointed with President Bush’s remarks to the Israeli parliament on Thursday, just 24 hours after Price and about 50 other members of Congress urged Bush to promote diplomacy in his visit to the region this week.

"The president’s comments yesterday demonstrated that he is far more committed to political cheap shots than he is to actually pursuing peace in the Middle East," Price said.

During the celebration of Israel’s 60th anniversary, Bush compared those who would talk with Iran and radical Islamic groups to Nazis’ appeasers, angering many in the Palestinian territories and in the United States.

"That he would use such a solemn occasion in a foreign land as a campaign stop, undermining his own stated commitment to a peaceful resolution, is not only disgraceful; it speaks volumes about the broader failure of his foreign policy," said Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat.

"The letter that I, along with 51 of my colleagues, sent to President Bush this week encouraged precisely the opposite course: leadership that understands the imperative for peace and takes the steps necessary to achieve that goal," Price said.

Myrick: Pull Carter's passport

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 18:10:28 -0400

U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick, a Charlotte Republican, has called for former President Jimmy Carter's passport to be pulled over his meeting with Hamas leaders in Palestine.

Price heads to the Middle East

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 14:59:22 -0500

U.S. Rep. David Price is in the Middle East this week on homeland security business.

Price, a Chapel Hill Democrat, left Jan. 4 for the trip, which has so far taken him to Israel, Jordan, Oman and Egypt. He returns Sunday.

Price, who leads the House’s homeland security funding subcommittee, has several issues on his to-do list, said spokesman Paul Cox.

He is visiting foreign ports to see in-person the security work that U.S. officials are doing there to pre-screen cargo bound for the United States. Price also is trying to learn new ideas for homeland security from countries such as Israel that face ongoing threats from terrorism.

And he is taking a look at how U.S. officials abroad are doing in processing the asylum claims of refugees from the war in Iraq.

So far on his trip, Price has met with foreign ministers in Egypt, Oman, and Jordan, and with the prime minister of Jordan, Cox said.

He also is scheduled to meet with Israel’s foreign minister and with business leaders in the Palestinian West Bank.