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Sunday Roundup
posted at 2009-03-29 11:52 | Last modified 2009-03-29 11:54
After weeks of coverage centered on budget cuts and stimulus money, we get a little break today with some in-depth issue stories.
- Greensboro’s Mark Binker had a nice exploration of the decline of tobacco as an economic and political force in NC.
- Charlotte’s Jack Betts offers a case study of one of the least-told stories on Jones St. – the fight over the Yadkin River Dam. Well worth a read.
- Asheville’s Jordan Schrader says the state’s “first step toward tort reform” isn’t going anywhere. Arbitration for malpractice has been on the books for more than a year, but nobody’s used it yet.
- Schrader and Jon Ostendorff also had this story on a proposal to allow local ABC boards to sell liquor on Sunday.
Senate stories
Sen. Kay Hagan had some harsh words yesterday for President Obama’s budget proposal. She spoke at Elon at the AP Broadcast Awards. I posted the story with audio last night; the AP’s Mike Baker had a nice write-up today.
Hagan also said she’s about to unveil a new NC committee that’ll screen candidates for federal positions from prosecutors to the 4th Circuit Court of Appeals. The 4th Circuit gridlock was one of the topics on NC Spin this week, where I joined Chris Fitzsimon, John Hood, Theresa Kostrzewa, and host Tom Campbell.
Speaking of Hagan, the NAACP is “concerned” about a formal complaint filed against her by Fred Aiken. After a failed primary run for State Auditor, Aiken went on the trail with Hagan, and was subsequently hired by her office. One day later, he was fired – he says without explanation. Hagan’s office won’t comment on a “personnel matter.” Cash Michaels at the Wilmington Journal lays out an interesting backstory of a clash between Aiken and NC Guard Adj. Gen. David Ingram. The whole story is here.
Senator Richard Burr was also in NC this weekend, speaking to WNC Republicans at a dinner in Asheville. The N&O’s Rob Christensen wonders who the Dems will pick to challenge Burr in 2010. (My money’s on AG Roy Cooper – he’s all over my inbox lately.)
Odds and ends
The N&O's Andy Curliss reports former Governor Mike Easley’s friendship with auto and racing magnate Rick Hendrick worked out well for the Easleys – from a trip to Sunset Key to what appear to be semi-permanent loaner vehicles for Mary Easley and their son Michael.
Under the Dome says Governor Bev Perdue’s son Garrett was seen at the legislature this past week. He’s working as a lobbyist for Womble Carlyle up in DC, but not in NC. Sounds like he may have been visiting Jones St. to drum up business for the firm: one local lobbyist told me some of her clients received phone calls from a Garrett Perdue (who, one notes, did not identify himself as the Gov’s son) trying to sell them legal services.
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