Tar Heel Democrats Vote To Keep Spending Stimulus Bucks on Signs

GOP amendment to defund pricey highway signs defeated

By Rick Henderson

RALEIGH — The U.S. House of Representatives last week defeated a measure that would have prevented additional funding from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act to pay for highway signs touting projects the so-called stimulus act has underwritten.

The five Republicans in North Carolina’s congressional delegation voted to defund spending on the signs. All eight Tar Heel State Democrats — including self-described moderate Reps. Bob Etheridge (2nd), Mike McIntyre (7th), Larry Kissell (8th), and Heath Shuler (11th) — voted to continue using tax dollars on the signs.

http://www.carolinajournal.com/articles/display_story.html?id=6633

Fetzer says Democrats’ fundraiser stretches ethics

Tom Fetzer, the newly elected state Republican Party chairman, is already taking shots at the Democrats.

In his first news conference, Fetzer called on the Democrats to cancel a June 26 legislative fundraiser that he said violates the spirit of ethics laws.

The fundraiser is a reception for state legislators, and tickets range from $50 for individuals to $1,000 for sponsor groups. State Democrats said the party hosts this reception annually to recognize senators and representatives.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1573549.html

Ruling: N.C. erred in district

Voting Rights Act doesn’t apply unless minority is majority

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS Published: March 10, 2009

WASHINGTON – The Supreme Court limited the reach of the Voting Rights Act yesterday, a decision that could make it harder for some minority candidates to win election when voting districts are redrawn.

In a 5-4 decision, the justices ruled that a portion of the law aimed at helping minorities elect their preferred candidates applies only in districts where minorities make up more than half the population

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/mar/10/ruling-nc-erred-in-district/news-ncpolitics/

Sidenote: “duh?!”

Democrats push $410 billion bill through House

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

Published: February 26, 2009

WASHINGTON

The Democratic-controlled House pushed through a $410 billion bill yesterday that increases spending on domestic programs, bristles with earmarks and chips away at policies left behind by the Bush administration.

The vote was 245-178, largely along party lines.

Republicans criticized the bill as too costly — particularly on the heels of a $787 billion stimulus bill that President Obama signed last week. But Democrats jabbed back.

http://www2.journalnow.com/content/2009/feb/26/democrats-push-410-billion-bill-through-house/news-nation-world/

N.C. taxman might watch odometers

Mark Johnson, Staff Writer Comment on this story

Imagine your car’s odometer as a taxicab meter.

A special transportation committee on Wednesday approved a package of money-raising proposals, including a tax on North Carolina car owners based on the number of miles their vehicle travels each year.

http://www.newsobserver.com/politics/story/1302282.html

State Democrats’ leader says his job is done

Jerry Meek, who for the past four years has presided over a resurgent state Democratic Party, said he plans to step down as party chairman at the end of his term in January.

“It’s unlikely I could do anything in six years that I didn’t do in four,” Meek said.

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1302235.html

Leader defends 5 percent raises for lottery workers

BENJAMIN NIOLET, ROB CHRISTENSEN, KEUNG HUI, RYAN TEAGUE BECKWITH AND MICHAEL BIESECKER, Staff WritersComment on this story

State Lottery Commission Chairman John McArthur said Thursday that proposed 5 percent raises for lottery employees encourage a better-run lottery….

http://www.newsobserver.com/news/story/1098180.html