Opinion
U.S. House speaker contest reminds long-time N.C. politicos of 2003
The ongoing battle for the U.S. House's top job prompts some N.C. political observers to look back 20n years.
Opinion
North Carolina’s new redistricting process, a model for the nation
North Carolina’s history of drawing congressional and legislative districts is challenging to defend for both political parties. Political opportunism and warfare come with the “big pen” when drawing these critical maps, and there is always outrage for those not at the table. Look no further than when Former Republican Co-Speaker of the House Richard Morgan...
News
Strach out, Brinson Bell in at elections board in what GOP calls partisan move
The State Board of Elections ousted Executive Director Kim Strach Monday, May 13, on a party line vote, naming Karen Brinson Bell of Charleston, South Carolina, to replace Strach effective June 1. Strach served six of her 19 years with the state board as executive director, having built a reputation as an intrepid investigator on...
News
Secretive budget process efficient but bad for governance, analysts say
Republican legislative leaders’ decision to hold secretive budget deliberations was bad politics, and could further motivate angry Democrats to flood the voting booth this fall, political observers say. GOP leaders counter that the budget they unveiled Monday night (links here) merely makes some minor adjustments in the two-year agreement enacted last year. In their view,...
News
Questions Still Surround Black Property Settlement
RALEIGH — Wake County officials say imprisoned former North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black satisfied a court-ordered $1 million fine recently by surrendering some Mecklenburg County real estate, but questions remain about the real market value of the property, who owns the parcels, and whether the transfer was legitimate.
News
Jim Black’s Property Settlement in Corruption Case May Not Add Up
CHARLOTTE — Imprisoned former North Carolina House Speaker Jim Black used undeveloped land with a tax value of less than $150,000 to pay off an outstanding $500,000 state fine linked to his conviction on corruption charges, according to Mecklenburg County property records.
News
9 Senators: Keep Black’s Promise
RALEIGH — Nine state senators want to fulfill a promise made by former House Speaker Jim Black, who in 2002 made a "personal commitment" to give Johnson & Wales University $10 million in state money in exchange for relocating a campus in Charlotte.
News
Black Pleads Guilty to Corruption
RALEIGH — Former House Speaker Jim Black, in a plea agreement with the United States Attorney, admitted guilt in federal court yesterday to "corruptly accepting things of value concerning programs receiving federal funds."
News
JimBlackMustGo.com To Shut Down
RALEIGH — The creator of the Web site jimblackmustgo.com, citing his belief that House Speaker Jim Black will be indicted as a result of ongoing investigations, has announced that he will remove his site from the Internet at the end of this month.
News
Will Scandals Affect Nov. Elections?
RALEIGH — Less than two months remain before the elections in November, and while Republicans nationally worry how scandals and spending could lessen their prospects for maintaining power in Congress, in North Carolina it’s the reverse — Democrats fear that corruption might be their undoing.
News
Decker Pleads Guilty to Conspiracy
RALEIGH — Former N.C. Rep. Michael Decker, Sr. of Forsyth County pleaded guilty Tuesday in federal court to crimes associated with efforts to elect Jim Black to another term as speaker of the House in 2003. Court documents tell of a deal made with an unnamed legislator that resulted in Decker receiving envelopes stuffed with checks and cash. Related Articles: Salisbury stakes were high for Decker How it unfolded Decker's plea agreement (.pdf) 'It was a show of repentance on his part' Dem: 'I don't want (Black) to be involved' Columnist: Decker could have gotten 40 years Decker had unspectacular career CJ: Did caucus disrespect Decker? CJ: Spotlight on Speaker Black CJ: Who's who at the Board of Elections hearings
News
Complaint Filed on Payday Lenders
RALEIGH — A critic of House Speaker Jim Black has filed a complaint with the State Board of Elections asking for an investigation of campaign contributions from the payday lending industry to dozens of state legislators. Related NC Ethics & Corruption Articles: Reports hid IDs, complaint says 'I believe that somehow this was orchestrated' Norris charged in lottery lobbying Norris among three charged
