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Thursday Round-up
posted at 2007-05-17 23:03 | Last modified 2007-11-14 10:38
Wright's case headed to Joint Ethics
Speaker Joe Hackney announced last night he's referred the allegations against New Hanover Dem Thomas Wright to the Legislative Joint Ethics Committee. Today (by coincidence, Hackney says), the updated rules of engagement for the committee were completed and released to the House membership.
As for the rules, "byzantine" doesn't even come close. Meetings are open, then closed, then open again. Findings are confidential, yet on the public record. House and Senate co-chairs are expected to act together, but there's protocol in case they don't.
No wonder this panel rarely meets. They probably can't figure out how.
Seriously, though, the rules released today may offer some clues about what's next for Wright and his peers. The most relevant bit may be a provision in Part C, section 3.b.3, which says (in part):
[snip] "If other agencies or authorities are conducting an investigation of the same actions or conduct involved in a complaint filed with the Committee, the Committee may stay its investigation pending final resolution of the other investigation."
The Elections Board has already asked the Wake Co DA to pursue the case, and the FBI and IRS seem interested as well. So smart money says lawmakers will likely stand back and leave this one to the pros. No word yet on when the panel will convene.
Meantime, it seems like the ONLY people Wright won't talk to is the press. He's been all over Jones St. since the SBOE hearing -- offering comments on the floor, holding court with lobbyists, accepting supportive arm-squeezes from fellow Democrats. In short, he's acting like a guy who isn't going anywhere, which is probably the whole point.
Bully for the GOP
House Education Republicans took a stand today to try to remove the words "sexual orientation" from a measure seeking to outlaw school bullying and harassment. It was one of the most surreal committee debates I've heard in a long time.
Sponsor Rick Glazier (D-Cumberland) says including sexual orientation is necessary because studies show GLBT kids are far more likely to be bullied, far more likely to commit suicide, and far less likely to be protected from bullies by school staff. That's a point J 1Chair Deborah Ross (D-Wake) also made in her argument.
But Catawba Rep. Mark Hilton argued that the schools shouldn't offer special protection for gay and lesbian kids because homosexuality is an immoral lifestyle choice. (Hilton didn't go on to explain what an elementary student would know about a "lifestyle choice," or why any self-respecting 10 year old kid would choose to make him or herself a pariah. And what about the all the kids who get beaten up for "being gay," even though they aren't? But I digress.)
In typical fashion, Union Republican Curtis Blackwood moved the debate backward fifty years with his concern about the real victims of discrimination: white males. You can hear it here. Afterward, I asked him whether kids who get picked on more need more protection. I don't think he really answered my question, even after I asked it three times. But you can decide for yourself.
At the end, the Education Committee passed the anti-bullying bill along party lines with the orientation language included. It now goes to Ross's Judiciary 1, where it's likely to pass, and then to the House floor.
Start your engines....
...and then get out the way. Seriously. The Gov is once again getting behind the wheel of a racecar - albeit for a good cause. According to this evening's release, Easley will take the wheel of Casey Mears' #25 "American Heroes" car Saturday to raise money for the families of NC National Guard members.
While Easley's office says he's raised substantial pledges per lap from corporate donors, he might've done even better taking bets on what shape Mears' car will be in when it's all over. Here's hoping Casey brought a backup for the race.
Comments? Drop me a line.
