Sex Offenders
The House and Senate need to work out their differences on a proposed law that would make it a low-grade felony for registered sex offenders to use social networking Web sites. Sen. Walter Dalton, a Rutherfordton Democrat who is running for lieutenant governor, said the House deleted provisions that should have been included, such as making it a felony to lie to a SBI agent and making in-person solicitation of minors and online solicitation separate offenses. Noelle Talley, a spokeswoman for the state Attorney General's office said the state prosecutor wants those provisions added back to the bill.
State Attorney General Roy Cooper started pushing for the law last year. Back then, the proposal included a requirement to have social networking sites obtain parental consent before they allowed children to join. Since then, MySpace and Facebook came to agreements with state attorneys general to add safeguards to protect minors from sexual predators. Many sections of the original bill, including the provision that would have required parental consent for a child to join a social networking site, have been removed. (Dome, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).
Wednesday, June 25, 2008
Wrongfully Convicted
Wrongfully Convicted
A House judiciary panel gave its approval Tuesday to a bill that would more than double the amount of money that wrongfully convicted people could receive from the state. The measure would allow criminally convicted individuals who have been declared innocent by the governor to receive $50,000 for each year they spent behind bars. Current state law allows $20,000 per year. They would also be able to receive tuition money and job skills training.
Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland and the bill's sponsor, said boosting the payment will help erroneously convicted people make up for the time they spent behind bars. The bill now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Gov. Mike Easley most recently pardoned Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit. Hunt was exonerated by DNA evidence last year. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
A House judiciary panel gave its approval Tuesday to a bill that would more than double the amount of money that wrongfully convicted people could receive from the state. The measure would allow criminally convicted individuals who have been declared innocent by the governor to receive $50,000 for each year they spent behind bars. Current state law allows $20,000 per year. They would also be able to receive tuition money and job skills training.
Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland and the bill's sponsor, said boosting the payment will help erroneously convicted people make up for the time they spent behind bars. The bill now heads to the House Appropriations Committee. Gov. Mike Easley most recently pardoned Darryl Hunt, who served 18 years in prison for a rape he didn't commit. Hunt was exonerated by DNA evidence last year. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
Jenkins' Bill
Jenkins' Bill
Sen. Clark Jenkins, the primary sponsor of a bill that would allow wider boats on North Carolina highways, is an owner of a marina near Nags Head that claims on its Web site to be the fastest-growing new fishing marina in the state. But Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, said he didn't disclose his interest in Broad Creek Fishing Center & Marina when he shepherded his bill through two Senate committees because it wasn't necessary. "I don't have a conflict of interest, in my opinion," Jenkins said in an interview Tuesday. He said that's because the entire sportfishing industry would benefit from his bill, not just his marina. He also said he had consulted with an attorney who works for the General Assembly who told him he had no conflict. Senate leader Marc Basnight said he agrees with Jenkins and added: "I don't see how it benefits him. It benefits the person pulling the boat."
Jenkins' bill sailed through the Senate last week 47-0 and is scheduled to be heard at 11 a.m. today by the House Committee on Transportation. The legislation would eliminate the need for a permit to pull a boat-trailer combination that's between 8.5 and 10 feet wide, and would drop a prohibition against pulling one on Sundays and holidays, when beach traffic is heavier. The measure would also allow longer and heavier trucks on state highways. State law says that no legislator shall participate in a legislative action if they conclude "that an actual economic interest does exist which would impair the legislator's independence of judgment." It also says that it's OK if the benefit to that legislator is no greater than the benefit to owners of other similar businesses. Jenkins did not vote on his bill when the Senate approved it last week. He said he was out of town on business.
State Highway Patrol officials say the longer trucks and wider boats that the bill would allow on state highways would endanger other motorists. DOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said in an interview Tuesday that he also opposes the bill, agreeing with the patrol on the danger issue. (Pat Stith, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).
Sen. Clark Jenkins, the primary sponsor of a bill that would allow wider boats on North Carolina highways, is an owner of a marina near Nags Head that claims on its Web site to be the fastest-growing new fishing marina in the state. But Jenkins, D-Edgecombe, said he didn't disclose his interest in Broad Creek Fishing Center & Marina when he shepherded his bill through two Senate committees because it wasn't necessary. "I don't have a conflict of interest, in my opinion," Jenkins said in an interview Tuesday. He said that's because the entire sportfishing industry would benefit from his bill, not just his marina. He also said he had consulted with an attorney who works for the General Assembly who told him he had no conflict. Senate leader Marc Basnight said he agrees with Jenkins and added: "I don't see how it benefits him. It benefits the person pulling the boat."
Jenkins' bill sailed through the Senate last week 47-0 and is scheduled to be heard at 11 a.m. today by the House Committee on Transportation. The legislation would eliminate the need for a permit to pull a boat-trailer combination that's between 8.5 and 10 feet wide, and would drop a prohibition against pulling one on Sundays and holidays, when beach traffic is heavier. The measure would also allow longer and heavier trucks on state highways. State law says that no legislator shall participate in a legislative action if they conclude "that an actual economic interest does exist which would impair the legislator's independence of judgment." It also says that it's OK if the benefit to that legislator is no greater than the benefit to owners of other similar businesses. Jenkins did not vote on his bill when the Senate approved it last week. He said he was out of town on business.
State Highway Patrol officials say the longer trucks and wider boats that the bill would allow on state highways would endanger other motorists. DOT Secretary Lyndo Tippett said in an interview Tuesday that he also opposes the bill, agreeing with the patrol on the danger issue. (Pat Stith, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).
Legislative Runoffs
Legislative Runoffs
Justin Burr has defeated Rep. Ken Furr in the Republican primary runoff for the 67th House District covering Stanly, Union and Montgomery counties. Furr was appointed last August to succeed Rep. David Almond, who resigned. Burr, who won with 58 percent of the vote Tuesday, faces no opposition in November. Meanwhile, Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis triumphed Tuesday in his race against State Board of Education member Kathy Taft in the Democratic contest for the 5th Senate District covering Greene, Pitt and Lenoir counties. Davis, who took 63 percent of the vote Tuesday, will face outgoing Rep. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, in November to succeed retiring Sen. John Kerr, D-Wayne. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
Justin Burr has defeated Rep. Ken Furr in the Republican primary runoff for the 67th House District covering Stanly, Union and Montgomery counties. Furr was appointed last August to succeed Rep. David Almond, who resigned. Burr, who won with 58 percent of the vote Tuesday, faces no opposition in November. Meanwhile, Snow Hill Mayor Don Davis triumphed Tuesday in his race against State Board of Education member Kathy Taft in the Democratic contest for the 5th Senate District covering Greene, Pitt and Lenoir counties. Davis, who took 63 percent of the vote Tuesday, will face outgoing Rep. Louis Pate, R-Wayne, in November to succeed retiring Sen. John Kerr, D-Wayne. (THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
Labor Commissioner
Labor Commissioner
Mary Fant Donnan clinched the Democratic nomination for labor commissioner on Tuesday, defeating former labor commissioner John Brooks in the Democratic primary runoff. She had about 68 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting Tuesday. Donnan will face Republican incumbent Cherie Berry in November. "I'm very excited, and this positions me well for the fall," Donnan said. "Voters are ready for and responded well to the message that there needs to be an emphasis on better supports for working families and small business."
Donnan, a program officer at the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in Winston-Salem, finished first in the four-person party primary on May 6 but failed to get the more than 40 percent of the vote required to avoid a runoff with Brooks, the commissioner from 1977 to 1993. Both argued that Berry, who is seeking her third four-year term, has failed to protect North Carolina workers adequately or push for more apprenticeship training. Donnan, 46, worked in the labor department from 1994 to 2001. She received the endorsements of the third- and fourth-place finishers in the primary, as well as the state AFL-CIO. (Gary D. Robertson, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
Mary Fant Donnan clinched the Democratic nomination for labor commissioner on Tuesday, defeating former labor commissioner John Brooks in the Democratic primary runoff. She had about 68 percent of the vote with all precincts reporting Tuesday. Donnan will face Republican incumbent Cherie Berry in November. "I'm very excited, and this positions me well for the fall," Donnan said. "Voters are ready for and responded well to the message that there needs to be an emphasis on better supports for working families and small business."
Donnan, a program officer at the Z. Smith Reynolds Foundation in Winston-Salem, finished first in the four-person party primary on May 6 but failed to get the more than 40 percent of the vote required to avoid a runoff with Brooks, the commissioner from 1977 to 1993. Both argued that Berry, who is seeking her third four-year term, has failed to protect North Carolina workers adequately or push for more apprenticeship training. Donnan, 46, worked in the labor department from 1994 to 2001. She received the endorsements of the third- and fourth-place finishers in the primary, as well as the state AFL-CIO. (Gary D. Robertson, THE ASSOCIATED PRESS, 6/24/08).
Education Shortfalls
Education Shortfalls
State education officials warned Tuesday that they might have to withhold $50 million from school districts so they could have money for fuel and teacher bonuses. "I don't want to say it's all doomed, but I do want to sound an alarm and warning that we're heading in the wrong direction," Howard Lee, chairman of the State Board of Education, said during an emergency board meeting. The state Department of Public Instruction reimburses school districts for most of their fuel costs and also administers the performance-based teacher bonus checks. But Philip Price, associate state superintendent for financial and business services, said that lawmakers are working on a compromise spending plan that would give less money for K-12 public education than what had been adopted by either the House or Senate.
Price said the increased funding for bus fuel in the conference budget would still leave a $30 million shortfall for reimbursing districts. Additionally, Price said that the conference budget allocates $37 million less than projected to pay for bonuses under the state's ABCs of Education program. While the state may make up some of the shortfall, Price warned districts that they still might be short $50 million. Shortly after the state board meeting, Senate leaders said they would seek to boost the fuel money and teacher bonuses. Sen. Linda Garrou, D- Forsyth and a chief budget writer, said they would agree to additional $20 million increases for both fuel and bonuses. "We've got to do better," Garrou said. " She and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, said they did not know where the money would come from. (T. Keung Hui, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).
State education officials warned Tuesday that they might have to withhold $50 million from school districts so they could have money for fuel and teacher bonuses. "I don't want to say it's all doomed, but I do want to sound an alarm and warning that we're heading in the wrong direction," Howard Lee, chairman of the State Board of Education, said during an emergency board meeting. The state Department of Public Instruction reimburses school districts for most of their fuel costs and also administers the performance-based teacher bonus checks. But Philip Price, associate state superintendent for financial and business services, said that lawmakers are working on a compromise spending plan that would give less money for K-12 public education than what had been adopted by either the House or Senate.
Price said the increased funding for bus fuel in the conference budget would still leave a $30 million shortfall for reimbursing districts. Additionally, Price said that the conference budget allocates $37 million less than projected to pay for bonuses under the state's ABCs of Education program. While the state may make up some of the shortfall, Price warned districts that they still might be short $50 million. Shortly after the state board meeting, Senate leaders said they would seek to boost the fuel money and teacher bonuses. Sen. Linda Garrou, D- Forsyth and a chief budget writer, said they would agree to additional $20 million increases for both fuel and bonuses. "We've got to do better," Garrou said. " She and Senate Majority Leader Tony Rand, D-Cumberland, said they did not know where the money would come from. (T. Keung Hui, THE NEWS & OBSERVER, 6/25/08).
State Employee Rally
State Employees
They rallied outside the Legislative Building. They put a full-page ad in The News & Observer. They called for initiatives not likely to be passed by this year's General Assembly. In all, about 200 members of the State Employees Association of North Carolina gathered behind the Legislative Building on Tuesday to call for a higher pay raise and collective bargaining rights. And in the newspaper, and in speech, the group urged legislators to strip State Treasurer Richard Moore of his authority as sole trustee over the state pension funds. "That's our money, so we shouldn't have one person playing with our money," said SEANC executive director Dana Cope.
The full-page newspaper ad cited state pension fund losses of $4 billion during the first quarter of 2008 as a reason for giving investment authority to a board of trustees. Prior to his speech, Cope said he believed a board would have limited the losses, even as markets in general lost money. "A board would have provided more sets of eyes," he said. Moore's office, though, released a letter sent to legislators on Monday, signed by a number of state retiree and local government organizations, stating that divesting the treasurer of sole investing authority would increase risks for the pension fund and undermine a strategy of slow but steady returns. The letter also called North Carolina's state employee pension funds "the envy of many across the country …"
Sara Lang, a spokeswoman for the treasurer's office, said the change supported by SEANC calls for study and debate, not scare tactics. "It is unfortunate that SEANC continues to scare retirees and public workers about their pension fund," Lang said. SEANC leaders also targeted legislators for not providing more substantial pay increases. Cope said the group's goal was to convince budget negotiators to raise state employees' raises to 3 percent, the same amount provided to teachers in both the House and Senate budgets. Boosting the pay hike from 2.75 percent to 3 percent would cost just $8 million, Cope said. (THE INSIDER, 6/25/08).
They rallied outside the Legislative Building. They put a full-page ad in The News & Observer. They called for initiatives not likely to be passed by this year's General Assembly. In all, about 200 members of the State Employees Association of North Carolina gathered behind the Legislative Building on Tuesday to call for a higher pay raise and collective bargaining rights. And in the newspaper, and in speech, the group urged legislators to strip State Treasurer Richard Moore of his authority as sole trustee over the state pension funds. "That's our money, so we shouldn't have one person playing with our money," said SEANC executive director Dana Cope.
The full-page newspaper ad cited state pension fund losses of $4 billion during the first quarter of 2008 as a reason for giving investment authority to a board of trustees. Prior to his speech, Cope said he believed a board would have limited the losses, even as markets in general lost money. "A board would have provided more sets of eyes," he said. Moore's office, though, released a letter sent to legislators on Monday, signed by a number of state retiree and local government organizations, stating that divesting the treasurer of sole investing authority would increase risks for the pension fund and undermine a strategy of slow but steady returns. The letter also called North Carolina's state employee pension funds "the envy of many across the country …"
Sara Lang, a spokeswoman for the treasurer's office, said the change supported by SEANC calls for study and debate, not scare tactics. "It is unfortunate that SEANC continues to scare retirees and public workers about their pension fund," Lang said. SEANC leaders also targeted legislators for not providing more substantial pay increases. Cope said the group's goal was to convince budget negotiators to raise state employees' raises to 3 percent, the same amount provided to teachers in both the House and Senate budgets. Boosting the pay hike from 2.75 percent to 3 percent would cost just $8 million, Cope said. (THE INSIDER, 6/25/08).
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