New Laws Open Ethics Commission Hearings And Regulate Political Legal Defense Funds

Gov. Mike Easley today signed legislation to open state Ethics Commission hearings and regulate funds set up to raise legal defense money for public officials. The bills are:

House Bill 1111: ''An act to make clarifying changes to the State Government Ethics Act, the Legislative Ethics Act and the lobbying laws.''
House Bill 1737: ''An act to regulate legal expense funds for elected officers, to provide for the disclosure of contributions and expenditures and to limit certain contributions.''
House Bill 1110: ''An act to make technical changes to the State Government Ethics Act, the Legislative Ethics Act and the lobbying law.''

''North Carolinians have the right to expect their public officials adhere to the highest ethical standards when they act on the public’s behalf,'' said Easley. ''These new laws provide more access and important openness to the ethics laws passed last year so citizens can see for themselves how the standards are being enforced.''

According to the Institute for Southern Studies, North Carolina has once again taken the lead in election reform and democracy.

Earlier this year, North Carolina passed landmark legislation for Same-Day registration at early voting sites (some 200 across the state), led by the efforts of Democracy North Carolina, N.C. Fair Share and N.C. Young Democrats.

Pro-democracy advocates in the Tarheel State added another victory: "Clean Elections" legislation for public financing of three state-level races. Candidates for the Commissioner of Insurance, State Auditor, and Superintendent of Public Instruction will all be able to opt for using public funds, as is currently used in judicial races, helping to level the playing field and lessen the influence of private interests. The AP reports:

Under the legislation, candidates that collect small contributions from at least 750 voters statewide before the primary election would be eligible for at least $300,000 in public money to spend on the general elections. Participating candidates would receive extra money should outside groups or a candidate who didn't agree to the restrictions spend more money than they received from the state.

The bill sets aside $4.6 million over the next two years for participating candidates. While the measure applies to elections beyond 2008 for those four-year positions, more money would need to be set aside for campaigns in subsequent years.

But that's not all.

Lawmakers approved bills Thursday that would open up ethics hearings and information about legal defense funds created by politicians. The House and Senate unanimously approved a bill that would require the public disclosure of contributors to legal defense funds set up by politicians. That was a reaction to concerns that groups with interests before the legislature could have secretly contributed to a fund established to help pay the legal bills of former House Speaker Black, who pleaded guilty to state and federal corruption charges and is beginning a five-year prison. The measure limits corporations and union donations to $4,000 per calendar year, in keeping with similar restrictions on campaign giving. "It will provide the people with transparency that is needed so they know who is providing money to elected officials," said Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, who advocated for the change.

Republican State Auditor Les Merritt’s website explains that the Auditor’s office exists “to ensure that our state government executes its management responsibilities in compliance with applicable laws, rules, regulations, and policies.” [http://www.ncauditor.net/webproject/default.asp?intro_full]

But when it comes to his own business affairs, Mr. Merritt has a hard time following the law.

When he’s not working as State Auditor, Mr. Merritt is the president of LDC Mobile Estates, Inc.  State law requires all corporations to file an annual report with the Secretary of State’s office.

But Mr. Merritt has failed to submit required paperwork and now his annual reports for 2004 and 2005 have been rejected. It also appears that his annual report for 2006 will soon be rejected as well.  [http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/corporations/AnnualReportCount.aspx?PItemId=6457211]

“Mr. Merritt expects others in government to be meticulous in filing reports,” said NCDP Chair Jerry Meek.  “Perhaps he should practice what he preaches.  Either Mr. Merritt is incompetent, or he just doesn’t believe in following the law.  Either way, voters should be worried.”

Democratic US Rep. Brad Miller, NC-13, wants to stop the Bush Administration’s pattern of replacing sound science and expert knowledge with political judgments that benefit corporate special interests.

As the chairman of the House Science and Technology subcommittee, Miller is fighting the Bush Administration’s attempt to decide who will have the most influence over writing rules that protect the health and safety of our citizens.

Click here to read about Miller’s efforts in the Washington Post.

Local members of MoveOn held a rally today to counter the proposed Republican filibuster blocking a vote to withdraw U.S. combat forces out of Iraq by next spring.

The “counter filibuster” rally took place today at the corner of Otis Street and Patton Avenue in front of the Federal Building, where Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., has an office.

At issue is a piece of proposed legislation that would require President Bush to begin bringing the troops home within the next 120 days and complete the task by April 2008.

According to a news release from MoveOn, members will read letters from Iraq war veterans and their families that call on Congress to bring the troops home soon.

Speaker Hackney to receive award at NCSL Annual Meeting in Boston

As the new speaker of the North Carolina House, Joe Hackney is credited with restoring integrity in a chamber tarnished by the actions of its previous leader. Now he will receive the nation's top state legislative honor-the 2007 Excellence in State Legislative Leadership Award.

Speaker Hackney, current vice president of the National Conference of State Legislatures (NCSL), will receive the award at the NCSL 2007 Legislative Summit in Boston. He will also ascend to NCSL president-elect.

"Each year, NCSL and the State Legislative Leadership Foundation (SLLF) honor a leader who has shown commitment to protecting and strengthening the institution of the state legislature. Speaker Hackney has truly done that. His leadership has reinforced the foundation of the North Carolina House and it is now a more effective body," said NCSL Executive Director Bill Pound. "We are pleased to spotlight his diligence and statesmanship with this award."