What did Hagan's 2001 vote do?

ryanteaguebeckwith — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:33:09 -0400

Did Kay Hagan's vote in 2001 hurt or help illegal immigrants applying for driver's licenses?

That depends on who you ask. The U.S. Senate candidate has been attacked by groups that oppose illegal immigration for her vote on the provision, but supporters say it actually made it tougher for immigrants to get a license.

The debate began in the late 1990s, when state officials relaxed the standards for driver's licenses in an effort to encourage illegal immigrants to get licenses and car insurance.

After the Sept. 11 attacks, Republican legislators called for the state to stop giving licenses to illegal immigrants. The Democratic leadership responded by tightening requirements, but they stopped short of making it impossible for immigrants to get a license or recalling old licenses.

Activists argue that Hagan's vote for the budget bill — and therefore the measure — helped illegal immigrants get licenses. But former state Sen. Wib Gulley, who helped author the provision, says that's incorrect and unfair.

"It actually tightened the requirements for a license," he told Dome.

More after the jump.

Perdue outlines election reform

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 11:26:34 -0500

Beverly Perdue wants to set up an endowment for gubernatorial campaigns.

The Democratic gubernatorial candidate proposed creating the Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns — a $50 million trust fund that would pay for campaigns that avoid negative ads, address "major issues" and agree to a series of debates.

"The people of North Carolina, like the rest of the nation, are losing trust in the political system," she said in a statement. "The perception of corruption and a 'pay to play' environment has led to the belief that ordinary citizens do not have as much influence in politics as the rich and powerful."

The proposal is based on former state Sen. Wib Gulley's 1995 bill, which was praised by Common Cause and the League of Women Voters, and a similar endowment for Congressional campaigns proposed by U.S. Sen. Russ Feingold and Vice President Al Gore.

A bipartisan board of 12 individuals appointed by legislative leaders would run the endowment, select the major issues and determine if candidates had qualified with signatures and small donations.

Participating campaigns would not be allowed to use personal wealth or spend additional money on advertising.