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Tuesday: Smoke and signals
posted at 2009-05-19 21:53 | Last modified 2009-05-19 21:53
Put that out!
So it’s official. Before a very enthusiastic crowd. Governor Bev Perdue signed the smoking ban into law – in a chamber in the Old Capitol, otherwise known as the House Tobacco Built. Perdue called the occasion “absolutely historic” for a state that was built on tobacco.
“It’s a huge marker in our state that we’re serious about having a healthy North Carolina, and that we’ll go to the Nth to make that happen. My hat’s off to the General Assembly. I have never been as proud of a body in my entire life.”
The signing marks the end of a five-year legislative battle for House Majority Leader Hugh Holliman. Holliman is a lung cancer survivor who’s been the ban’s chief champion against tobacco lobbyists who say it’ll hurt the state’s economy.
The measure also gives local governments the authority to enact even tougher restrictions – a detail Senate sponsor Bill Purcell freely admitted its supporters downplayed. It all takes effect January 2nd.
Perdue’s remarks are here:
Listen Now!
And here’s Holliman, after a solid 2:30 of thank yous that left some advocates in tears:
Listen Now!
And Sen Bill Purcell:
Listen Now!
Can we talk?
Two high-ranking officials at North Carolina State University have been subpoenaed by the federal grand jury investigating former governor Mike Easley.
NCSU Chancellor James Oblinger and former Provost Larry Nielsen have been asked to testify before the grand jury about the school’s hiring of former First Lady Mary Easley. She was promoted last year to lead a new public safety training center, at an annual salary of about 170 thousand dollars.
The chairman of the school’s board of trustees at the time was McQueen Campbell, a friend and political ally of former Governor Mike Easley. Campbell admits he was involved in Mary Easley’s hiring.
The FBI and state officials are also investigating whether Easley broke campaign laws by allowing Campbell to fly him around the state at no charge. Campbell is also connected to a real estate transaction some say was a sweetheart deal for the Governor.
Oblinger and Nielsen are expected to testify Thursday. More from the N&O's Andy Curliss here.
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