Whats his excuse?

8/15/2013 8:46:44 AM

Paul "Frack Me" Stam is not exactly doing wonders for the GOP's image of only being appealing to white wealthy old men: http://m.huffpost.com/us/entry/3757569

North Carolina House Majority Leader Paul “Skip” Stam had some choice words Monday for the state’s superintendent of public instruction –- words that he would most likely reconsider if the schools chief were a man.

Stam's comment came after the superintendent, June Atkinson, expressed her belief to reporters that private schools and public schools in the state should take the same standardized tests. He said she should focus on her mandate of helping public schools, according to North Carolina outlet The News & Observer.

“She should stick to her own knitting,” Stam said.

8/15/2013 10:25:18 AM

Voting pre-registration for teenagers has been cut.

You must register within 25 days of the election.

I've read that this will result in disenfranchisement for kids who turn 18 within 25 days before elections.


This can't be right-- can it?

8/15/2013 11:44:27 AM

You're correct, what you read is not right. Link to your source material?

The new legislation eliminates pre-registration for 16 and 17 year olds, but does not change registration procedures for people who will be 18 by election day. Only five other states - if I recall correctly - allow 16/17 yr olds to pre-register; the vast majority of states do not allow this practice. If you're going to turn 18 say ten days before elections this November, you still have to register by the registration deadline in your county, but that has always been the case - the new voting legislation has no effect. Call your local board of elections to verify.

8/15/2013 12:01:21 PM

Quote :

"he Pasquotank County Board of Elections on Tuesday barred an Elizabeth City State University senior from running for city council, ruling his on-campus address couldn't be used to establish local residency. Following the decision, the head of the county's Republican Party said he plans to challenge the voter registrations of more students at the historically black university ahead of upcoming elections."

Can't claim your address as your address. Wow these guys are going hard at disenfranchising people. My dad agreed with the law ( ) saying students just need to change their legal address... well that sorta works... until the government says, nope, can't do that either!

also, @ the "no taxes, no vote" crowd. holee sheeeeeeet.

[Edited on August 15, 2013 at 4:39 PM. Reason : .]

8/15/2013 4:29:32 PM

Let's just go back to only white, male land owners voting. Since we love the Constitution and all!

8/15/2013 5:14:51 PM

As long as they're Protestant, I'm OK with that.

8/15/2013 5:38:37 PM

For the visual learners among you, here is a nice, tidy segment by Rachel Maddow showing what a complete joke this state has become thanks to our Republican overlords....

http://video.msnbc.msn.com/rachel-maddow/52769481#52769481
I would love for someone to embed this for the super lazy, please.

8/16/2013 9:46:56 AM

nvm

[Edited on August 16, 2013 at 9:57 AM. Reason : -]

8/16/2013 9:57:09 AM

Visit NBCNews.com for breaking news, world news, and news about the economy

8/16/2013 10:44:50 AM

^Sir, I owe you a beer and numerous apologies if I ever impugned your character in my decade plus on TWW.

8/16/2013 10:47:00 AM

I dare them to try that with NCSU. Actually, that may happen. They may not approve of an Early Voting site on NCSU campus again for as long as they have majority control.

8/16/2013 1:20:06 PM

http://www.wral.com/colin-powell-rips-nc-elections-law/12806467/

8/23/2013 1:40:09 PM

House overrides veto on bill that would require people applying for public assistance to pass a drug test. So I guess we'll be paying for that?
http://www.indyweek.com/triangulator/archives/2013/09/03/house-overrides-mccrorys-vetoes

9/4/2013 9:57:42 AM

McCrory's not implementing it unless the GA comes up with the money for it.

If they come up with the money for this but not for textbooks I am going to flip my shit.

9/4/2013 5:51:33 PM

I was really hoping the veto would stick. This is a stupid f'n bill that is going to cost more than it saves.

9/4/2013 8:25:56 PM

Some observations on our new voting laws from an outsider at the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/09/08/27-other-things-the-north-carolina-voting-law-changes/

Didn't see this posted elsewhere yet.

9/12/2013 12:03:13 PM

Quote :

"The new law allows a party to use unlimited donations from individuals and corporations on things like rent for party office space, utilities, and up to three administrative staffers who don’t work on political activities"

wait...what?

9/12/2013 12:09:01 PM

Phew, if it were 4 staffers I'd be pretty pissed off but this is completely acceptable.

9/12/2013 12:12:30 PM

no way that money will leak out into other endeavors. nope.

same as superpacts. squeaky clean

9/12/2013 12:19:00 PM

You have to allow people* to use their influence on politics as they wish.





*This definition includes corporations and excludes actual human beings.

9/12/2013 12:23:03 PM

Miss Bev yet?

[Edited on September 21, 2013 at 6:26 PM. Reason : w]

9/21/2013 6:22:24 PM

Quote :

"Can't claim your address as your address. Wow these guys are going hard at disenfranchising people. My dad agreed with the law ( ) saying students just need to change their legal address... well that sorta works... until the government says, nope, can't do that either!"

Dude, there's a difference between using your on-campus address for voting and using your on-campus address for running for local office.

9/21/2013 9:06:00 PM

not if you live on campus and that is your address

9/21/2013 11:45:01 PM

Quote :

"Some observations on our new voting laws from an outsider at the Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/govbeat/wp/2013/09/08/27-other-things-the-north-carolina-voting-law-changes/ Didn't see this posted elsewhere yet."

That is probably the most honest and fair assessment of the bill I have seen thus far. Thanks for sharing that.

9/22/2013 2:36:30 PM

Most probably won't want to read this because we lived this shit and don't need a recap:
http://www.nationaljournal.com/magazine/where-the-gop-s-wonderland-is-real-20130919

but it does a pretty good job articulating some of the fundamental differences between the urban and rural areas of NC.

Quote :

"What's playing out in Raleigh mirrors a nationwide debate between liberal and conservative economists and urbanists: What really matters when it comes to economic development? And, in a larger sense, what is the future of metropolitan areas? Is it the Triangle approach, which calls for deep investments in education and infrastructure; tax incentives for high-end industries; development of an urban core (with, for example, dog parks, bike lanes, light rail) for young professionals; and "creatives" like the ones streaming into Raleigh, accompanied—to be sure—by a progressive view on social issues? Or is it the GOP philosophy, which seeks to lower regulatory hurdles for businesses, keep more money in the hands of taxpayers, and introduce the free market to education? (In the latter case, that would mean private-school vouchers and more charter schools to compete with, and potentially even cripple, the existing system.) As for culture, bike lanes and dog parks be damned. People like their cars—and they care more about finding affordable housing in suburbs and exurbs close to their jobs than inhabiting an urban playground. In that GOP view, social issues don't enter the economic equation at all."

9/25/2013 11:55:34 AM

What about Apple in Catawba County, Google in Caldwell, and Facebook possibly looking at Rutherford/Polk (that might have fallen through).

You think they only located here for Bev Perdue's liberal sensibilities?

I dont think post-tobacco NC ever had one "identity" or "brand." RTP's reputation isnt going to be affected by McCrory, neither will Charlotte's banking.

Neither will manufacturing in random counties like Lincoln and other micropolitans. I think this article is painting with a little too broad a brush, but it will find admirers among those who hate our state government (and rightfully so).

Ruger is building a major facility in Mayodan, NC. I doubt they simply chose that spot because the state is suddenly red/bigot/hicks/#loveguns. Simplistic thinking. A million little factors go into these executives decision-making process when considering new sites for developments. Oh, and their children would be going to private schools no matter what.

NC needs to capitalize on those folks that are a product of our very good community college system. RTP and Charlotte can exist (as always) in a small highly-educated microcosm, but in my experience the companies flocking to NC's first questions are regarding the local 2-year educated workforce (and the lack of unions).

Anyway, just my opinion/hearsay.

9/25/2013 6:59:59 PM

Quote :

"What about Apple in Catawba County, Google in Caldwell, and Facebook possibly looking at Rutherford/Polk (that might have fallen through)."

Ehh, I don't really expect data centers to make that big of a dent in our unemployment rate. These are good gets for us, but are never going to be job generators.

Quote :

"Ruger is building a major facility in Mayodan, NC. I doubt they simply chose that spot because the state is suddenly red/bigot/hicks/#loveguns. Simplistic thinking. "

This one is legit. This one does bunk the theory of cities vs rural areas, but. . . . . .

Quote :

"I dont think post-tobacco NC ever had one "identity" or "brand." RTP's reputation isnt going to be affected by McCrory, neither will Charlotte's banking. Neither will manufacturing in random counties like Lincoln and other micropolitans. I think this article is painting with a little too broad a brush, but it will find admirers among those who hate our state government (and rightfully so)."

Our cities are by far our biggest growth areas, some of the highest growth in the country, and we need to keep feeding those flames. Most of our rural counties have negative population growth - I hate it more than anyone, but I really don't think we are going to be able to resurrect the textile/tobacco economy we had (with maybe the exception of some agriculture).

Instead of recognizing this the McCrory/NCGA has actively tried to kneecap cities (messing with their zoning laws, attempting to change their school board/county commissions, seizing assets, etc). They don't recognize that the mostly younger, highly educated folks driving the city growth are looking for decent schools and a good quality of life (parks, clean environment).

McCrory and the NCGA want us to compete with TN, GA, and SC over the crumbs of manufacturing left in the US and I just don't think that's going to make our state successful. In fact, I think its a formula for a race toward third world country status. I mean how can you, not only ignore the engines that our cities have become, but be openly hostile toward them?

9/25/2013 7:42:35 PM

I agree with most of that, but manufacturing is still viable in the US.

In fleeing the Northern states it can still be a boon in the South. It also utilizes those community college resources I mentioned instead of expecting a bunch of Silicon Valley types to move here (or be created here).

Im not saying thats a bad thing or should be actively discouraged, Im just saying its more likely for NC to follow the former. Its probably easier to get the economy going here again faster. It might not always be the types of companies you want though...

Its not a long term plan, but its a plan.

9/25/2013 7:47:07 PM

Quote :

"n fleeing the Northern states it can still be a boon in the South."

How long till it flees the South? You can't expect NCarolinians to compete with 14 year old Bangladeshi wage slaves or, perhaps more importantly, automation.

Admittedly the "high-tech" business plan leaves a lot of people behind and that's regrettable. Ideally we could attract those industries with both high-tech and manufacturing elements. A good example I think is biotech/pharma. It needs engineers and scientists but also highly trained operators working the manufacturing floor.

Quote :

" Im just saying its more likely for NC to follow the former. Its probably easier to get the economy going here again faster."

How so? Maybe I'm ignorant of all the small manufacturers jonesing to get to NC (and I know I'm ignorant of a lot of our current smaller manufacturers) but we already have examples of high-tech jobs and manufacturing here in NC. It would have been just continuing in the direction we were already headed. Instead we are tacking and heading for some far off place that our neighbors are all ready established at.

9/25/2013 8:03:04 PM

Automation maybe.

Plenty of those companies fleeing the North bring copious amounts of automation.

Not everyone is so anxious to relocate to Asia; especially not companies the size we're (generally) talking about.

Our high tech jobs are localized in unique places that our neighbors dont really possess to the best of my knowledge. Does SC or TN have any RTPs?

The only thing I can really think of that they beat us at consistently is auto manufacturers. All our neighbors except Virginia have them.

9/25/2013 8:49:11 PM

Drilling commissioner questions DENR's pass on water grant

Quote :

"The Division of Water Resources recently rejected a $222,595 grant from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency for water quality monitoring in areas seen as candidates for hydraulic fracturing, or "fracking," a method of natural gas drilling that has spurred environmental concerns in other states. DENR's state funding has been cut by about 40 percent in the past two years, and the Division of Water Resources is eliminating about 70 positions as it reorganizes after lawmakers trimmed its budget this year by about $2 million."

sweet plutocracy, bro!

http://www.wral.com/drilling-commissioner-questions-denr-s-pass-on-water-grant/12929814/

9/27/2013 2:52:46 PM

http://www.politicsnc.com/to-spite-your-face/

10/7/2013 2:14:36 PM

Credibility +. Buried in Regulatory Reform, HB 74, a section disallowing any regulation of "Digital Dispatch Services" by cities. One of the many sections that went without notice by most, including myself.

http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2013/09/19/4325586/digital-dispatch-services-expand.html#.UlMT5RDCfJI

Uber & Lyft have both started operating here in Charlotte. Taxi drivers in Charlotte are not happy and will be voicing their opposition to this new competition at tonight's City Council meeting even though the City Council has been deprived of the ability to regulate.

[Edited on October 7, 2013 at 4:08 PM. Reason : ....]

10/7/2013 4:07:39 PM

like the services. don't like the inconsistency in applying regulations.

10/7/2013 4:42:07 PM

I'm probably ok with that, pending some new information about liability to the passengers.

10/7/2013 5:06:58 PM

http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-23-2013/suppressing-the-vote

Aasif Mandvi investigates non-racist fallout from the Supreme Court's destruction of the Voting Rights Act (featuring Don Yelton of Buncombe County).

10/24/2013 9:55:23 AM

OH

MY

FUCKING

GOD

10/24/2013 12:36:40 PM

How can someone go on national TV and admit to committing voter disenfranchisement on a massive scale, and not be arrested?

10/24/2013 12:40:16 PM

Because the Supreme Court already took care of that.

10/24/2013 12:41:14 PM

Quote :

"http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/wed-october-23-2013/suppressing-the-vote"

Jesus fucking Christ.

Granted, who the fuck is Don Yelton?

[Edited on October 24, 2013 at 12:59 PM. Reason : .]

10/24/2013 12:53:59 PM

This is Don Yelton: https://www.facebook.com/don.yelton1

http://www.mountainx.com/don%20yelton

10/24/2013 1:05:09 PM

http://www.wral.com/gop-official-fired-after-daily-show-flap-/13034190/

Quote :

"RALEIGH, N.C. — A Buncombe County Republican precinct chairman has been asked to resign after making "offensive" comments on "The Daily Show." Buncombe GOP Chairman Henry Mitchell said Don Yelton officially stepped down from his position Thursday. In a segment that aired Wednesday night, Yelton blasted "lazy black people that wants the government to give them everything," one of a slew of racially inflammatory comments he made in the interview. Mitchell called the remarks "offensive, uniformed and unacceptable of any member within the Republican Party." "Let me make it very clear, Mr. Yelton's comments do not reflect the belief or feelings of Buncombe Republicans, nor do they mirror any core principle that our party is founded upon," Mitchell said in a press release. "This mentality will not be supported or propagated within our party." According to the release, this isn't the first time Yelton has clashed with local party leadership. "Yelton was recently reprimanded and removed from his position as a precinct chair in Buncombe County for a period of time in 2012 through 2013 and was then re-elected to precinct chair by two votes (his wife and himself) at the 2013 convention, placing him back on the Buncombe County Executive Committee," said the statement, which also noted that Yelton neither sought nor got approval to speak on behalf of the GOP. The state party leadership also issued a statement calling for Yelton's resignation. Yelton told the Asheville media on Thursday that he stands by his comments. "I've been laughed at by Democrats since I left the party. They try to make me look like a fool," he told WLOS-TV. "This is being picked up in Raleigh, across the state. They're trying to say, 'Look at this guy. He's racist.' The whole question isn't about racism.""

10/24/2013 9:46:41 PM

Yea, get rid of him to save face, as if it actually changes anything

10/24/2013 11:48:43 PM

It's the least they could have done.

But that's at least 2 republican politicians caught on tape admitting voter id is about disenfranchising voters.

10/25/2013 12:29:38 AM

I'm confident that at least one of our three Attorneys General will sort it all out...

10/25/2013 6:42:31 AM

http://www.wral.com/state-to-buy-mixers-for-jordan-lake/13214613/

the State moved money around to buy floating aerators for Jordan Lake in violation of legislative rules. The purpose is so that they can kill pollution reduction efforts upstream, and instead try to manage the symptoms.

While the bill does not mention a sole-source by name, they use the specifications for one specific manufacturer, SolarBee.

The Army Corps investigated using aeration and concluded that it was not a good option for Jordan Lake, they concluded that:

Quote :

"I have reviewed the Environmental Assessment for Direct Impacts of the Proposed Jordan Lake Aeration System for the Cary/Apex Water Treatment Facility, Chatham County, North Carolina, the information provided by interested parties, and the information contained in this Finding of No Significant Impact, and I find that the proposed aeration system will not significantly affect the quality of the human or natural environment. Therefore, preparation of an Environmental Impact Statement pursuant to Section 102(2)(c) of the National Environmental Policy Act of 1969, as amended, is not required."

http://www.saw.usace.army.mil/Portals/59/docs/recreation/jordanlake/FINAL_Jordan_Aeration_System_FONSI_%28Signed_September_5,_2013%29.pdf

they are doing this to make developers happy, this is the first step of them killing watershed pollution reduction efforts

12/16/2013 8:59:51 AM

You are definitely right that, by far, the most troubling thing here is they copy and pasted Solarbee specs directly out of the brochure and into the legislation rather than studying other vendors, putting it to bid, etc. Its just not good governance.


But as someone very interested in water quality, I'm actually really interested to see these things in action (hopefully DENR will be forthcoming with data) with a couple of HUGE caveats from just a little bit of google research:

Most of Solarbee's successes have been on smaller lakes, less than 1000 acres. The only comparable lake I've seen that they've been installed on is Lake Houston. On Lake Houston, they only installed the units around the drinking water intakes for the city - which I think is the plan for Jordan. That means you are leaving a huge portion of the lake to just continue to wallow in all the nutrients. All the little coves in Jordan are going to continue to be impaired. So I see these things as just a bandaid to help reduce costs associated with processing drinking water from the lake. Ideally, you might use both upstream nutrient rules and solarbees to solve Jordan's problems.

The other kinda interesting thing is that Solarbees don't solve nutrient problems, they solve algae bloom problems. You still have nutrients at the same concentration in the lake and SOMETHING is going to start growing to uptake those nutrients. In the case of some lakes, instead of algae blooming the solarbee instead allowed aquatic plants to flourish and choke out the lake. Although solarbee does claim they have reduced aquatic plant life in some lakes, so its an unknown what will happen in Jordan IMO.

We also need to consider what happens if they just absolutely aren't effective. We are two more years behind (what are we like 6 years behind now?) on getting effective nutrient rules implemented upstream. We are only increasing the long-term cost of compliance if we have to go back on these two years of growth and retrofit BMPs throughout the watershed.

The other troublesome thing is this is continuing to lower our stock in the eyes of EPA. Continuing to delay Jordan rules, plus some other water quality and air quality rules that we are behind on bringing into federal compliance - its going to make it harder and harder for us to design and implement our own programs. DENR is dropping the ball, but that seems par for the course under McCrory.

12/16/2013 10:23:36 AM

yeah, its not a bad technology to improve water quality at intakes, but it just can't replace nutrient reduction. and that's exactly why they are doing this.

12/16/2013 10:28:40 AM

They have to mix the medicine in somehow.

12/16/2013 10:42:12 AM