Going postal The post office currently leases 982 buildings from employees, former employees or their relatives. The audit also found another 220 older, inactive leases, altogether worth $8.2 million in annual rent paid to employees, former employees or their relatives. The audit also found $3 million spread over 78 contracts with current or former employees, […]
Travis Fain
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“Countless frivolous lawsuits?” Unlikely.
I’m in danger of belaboring points here on a vetoed bill, but the hyperbolic rhetoric dial is still turned up on Senate Bill 33, the medical malpractice bill Gov. Bev Perdue vetoed Friday. Take a look at Senate President Pro Tem Phil Berger’s statement on the veto, and particularly the first sentence: “In countless frivolous […]
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With exemption, House tells illegals their place is in the field
In passing House Bill 36 last week, the N.C. House of Representatives sent illegal immigrants a message. If you want to come here and tend our fields, pick our crops or otherwise work outside in the sun, we’ll look the other way. But if you try to put on a collared shirt and tie, we’re […]
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In rhetoric fight, North Carolinians lose
“It’s going to take us a little time to recover from 100 years of disaster. But guess what? We’re going to go ahead and we’re going to show you how to do it. You’re welcome to join us, or you can cry about it.”– Republican state Sen. Bob Rucho, Feb. 3, 2011 “This budget is […]
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Dangerous Days at the Sausage Factory
A couple of these items have moved forward since the original writing, so note the updates below. With a budget deal all but done, more and more of Jones Street’s attention will turn to the slew of bills that have been sitting in committee while bigger fish were fried. These are the dangerous days at […]
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In the midst of medical malpractice reform, insurance companies enjoying record profits
Proposed changes to rules that govern medical malpractice lawsuits are supposed to reduce costs and attract more doctors to North Carolina. Yet the two companies that write half of all malpractice insurance policies in North Carolina are enjoying a record-breaking financial year even without these changes. Medical Mutual and MAG Mutual earned significant profits in […]
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N.C. House budget would eliminate Tobacco Trust Fund farm grants
North Carolina farmers are the latest target of the Legislature, where the Republican majority is trying to eliminate a grant program that has enabled many farmers to survive. At a family farm where profit margins are thin and unforgiving, a $9,000 grant for a fence can be the difference between operating next year and not. […]
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While conservative legislators denounce same-sex marriage, a lawmaker discusses being gay
As expected, high-ranking Republican legislators are pushing a constitutional amendment against same-sex marriage, which they and their conservative supporters have sought to pass for years. What wasn’t expected is that state Rep. Marcus Brandon, a Guilford County Democrat who led a press conference at the Legislature Tuesday against the discriminatory proposal, would publicly discuss growing […]
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With House budget, Republican priorities are on the charge
The proposed GOP House budget doesn’t so much cut as it legislates, slicing up programs, moving things around, challenging executive branch powers and starting the general remake of state government Republicans promised last November. The House’s response to Gov. Bev Perdue’s budget proposal, scheduled for a vote this week, would mean no more teachers assistants […]
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Three GOP months in Raleigh
There are plenty of side issues worthy of attention as the North Carolina legislative session passes the three-month mark. But make no mistake, this session is primarily about what legislative sessions are usually about: money. The bottom line is that Gov. Bev Perdue wants to keep most of a temporary penny sales tax in place […]