"You couldn't sell me 17 years of my life for $800,000. Whatever the man is owed by the state of North Carolina, I will work aggressively to make sure he gets."
Gov. Beverly Perdue on Greg Taylor's request for a pardon that would allow him to collect $750,000 as compensation for serving 17 years for murder a 3-judge Innocence Commission panel ruled he did not commit.
More Campaign Muscle Expected From Unions & Businesses A U.S. Supreme Court ruling giving business and unions more ability to influence federal elections also stands to increase their sway in North Carolina for state and legislative elections. The nation's highest court ruled in a split decision that corporations and unions can't be barred from using money from their coffers to produce and run their own campaign ads.North Carolina has a similar law that State Board of Elections executive director Gary Bartlett says now appears unenforceable. Bartlett also says the decision likely means more business and union groups will use their own money to support or oppose candidates.
Ag Secretary Vilsack Pitches Health Reform Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack spoke with Scott Fitzgerald abut the effect that health care changes will have on the smaller communities.He also talked about his area of expertise - the food we produce and eat.
NC State And Campbell University Partner Campbell University is partnering with North Carolina State University to provide a new dual-degree program.Beginning in fall 2010, students will be able to obtain a JD from Campbell Law School and a Master of Public Administration from N.C.State.Campbell Law School dean Melissa Essary says the partnership is a perfect fit. Essary says the partnership will give students more chances to work with state and local government. The new program also allows students to get a JD and a MPA in four years instead of five.
Perdue - Bigger Money Woes May Be Ahead Governor Beverly Perdue says North Carolina could face a serious budget shortfall in coming years. Perdue says without additional federal stimulus money, the budget gap could be roughly $3 billion for fiscal year 2011-2012. The governor also says the shortfall will be nearly $1 billion next year but she insists that’s more manageable because of cuts she made back in August. Still, former North Carolina Supreme Court justice and GOP gubernatorial candidate Robert Orr says state officials are to blame for future shortfalls because they refuse to curb spending.He tells Don Curtis that better planning is needed.
Barlow Herget Commentary Barlow Herget commends the independent review of the State Bureura of Investigation crime lab ordered by North Carolina Attorney General Roy Cooper in light of the Innocence Commission exoneration of Greg Taylor who spent 17 years in prison for a murder he didn't commit. Negative blood tests that could have cleared Taylor was excluded from the SBI report presented at his trial.
Commentary from Mitch Kokai of the John Locke Foundation
