^^^yeah, that sounds about right.

Quote :

"BREAKING NEWS: GOV.-ELECT PAT MCCRORY HAS NAMED ART POPE, FINANCIER OF CONSERVATIVE CAUSES, AS HIS DEPUTY BUDGET DIRECTOR."

12/20/2012 11:34:44 AM

art pope is like diet koch. still bad 4 ya ;p

new name, Pat McCrony

12/20/2012 2:06:26 PM

The Koch foundation supports a lot of PBS stuff.

Not sure how the Pope foundation feels about that...

12/20/2012 2:42:42 PM

Saw him eating at The Mecca last night. That makes him credible in my book.

12/20/2012 6:50:09 PM

if that's your threshold for credibility, every local politician ever is credible

[Edited on December 20, 2012 at 9:05 PM. Reason : whoops]

12/20/2012 9:02:35 PM

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/rep_gillespie_leaving_house_to_join_denr_an_agency_he_targeted

Quote :

"Rep. Gillespie leaving House to join DENR -- an agency he targeted Veteran lawmaker Rep. Mitch Gillespie – who in 2011 literally drew a bulls-eye target on his legislative office window aimed at the state Department of Environment and Natural Resources – will resign next month to become an assistant secretary of the agency."

Between that and McCrory's Skvarla appointment, this doesn't bode well for the environment.

At least I understand that, screwing over the environment, the air we breathe and water we drink, makes more money for campaign donors. I still don't get how Starnes, the alcohol prohibition advocate, is going to be the new majority leader for the NC GOP. Who does that profit?

^^^^^^Putting Pope directly and officially in charge of the budget is no surprise, he's the largest donor so he gets the biggest say in how the state's money is spent. And McCrory's entire transition team was basically from the Pope Civitas organization anyways. Although he did also have the lawyer from Roses (a store Pope owns) on the transition team. It's very clear who is pulling the strings.

[Edited on December 28, 2012 at 1:27 PM. Reason : .]

12/28/2012 1:22:26 PM

Like I said the Art Pope administration begins on January 5th. The state will begin full regression.

12/29/2012 12:19:00 PM

With the election over, the media is one of the few institutions potentially capable of keeping check on this administration.

http://www.ncpolicywatch.com/2013/01/03/a-fitting-end-to-the-transition/

Quote :

"The transition of Pat McCrory from governor-elect to governor finishes Saturday morning when McCrory takes the oath of office in a private ceremony in the old House chamber in the Capitol building in Raleigh. One reporter and one television camera will be allowed in to record the event. It’s an odd but fitting end to the transition process. For the first time in recent memory, the public will not be allowed to attend the swearing-in ceremony of the new governor of the state, a governor that was elected after running a campaign promising openness and transparency and a change in the culture in Raleigh. The decision promoted protests from media organizations and the N.C. Press Association"

1/3/2013 2:21:45 PM

http://www.wral.com/mccrory-appoints-tata-two-others-to-cabinet-posts/11938358/

Quote :

"Gov.-elect Pat McCrory appointed former Wake County schools Superintendent Tony Tata as his secretary of transportation"

Quote :

"Of the three people announced today, Tata may be the best known in the Triangle. He led the Wake County Public School System during a tumultuous effort to redraw the system's student assignment plan. The Board of Education, control of which shifted last year from Republicans to Democrats, fired him in September. Toward the end of his tenure, Tata took responsibility for busing problems that left some children waiting for transportation for hours. Tata didn't respond to questions Thursday about the school bus problems."

After the whole Wake County school fiasco, I guess I should just be glad he'll be overseeing the degradation of our roads rather than our schools.

1/3/2013 6:49:12 PM

http://www.indyweek.com/indyweek/gov-elect-pat-mccrory-has-someone-to-answer-to-art-pope/Content?oid=3223322

It's a high-wire act that Gov.-elect Pat McCrory is attempting. He's the reasonable Republican who used to be the mayor of Charlotte. He's Art Pope's tea party toy, fronting for a right-wing Republican regime. Can he possibly balance the two roles?

The answer is that whatever he used to be, McCrory will do Pope's bidding or he will be irrelevant to state government for the length of his (one) term as governor. Either way, McCrory's in a tough spot. Because Pope, the Raleigh potentate newly installed as McCrory's budget and policy chief, can push him off the wire any time he wants.

But give this much to McCrory: He looked at ease, as a man on a wire must, as he played his parts Thursday in a press event to introduce new appointees, including Pope.

1/4/2013 10:47:18 AM

I'm sensing a Darth Vadar/Emperor paradigm shaping up here...

1/4/2013 10:54:46 AM

Tata did a fabulous job with the schools. He trimmed the budget by getting rid of waste and bloat. He ran a tight ship. He was fired for purely political reasons. I'm glad he has a place in the Governor's administration.




and whenever I hear about this "Pope" character, I can't help but think of


[Edited on January 4, 2013 at 11:01 AM. Reason : ]

1/4/2013 11:00:24 AM

^ Not disagreeing with you, but it is mildly amusing that he has been appointed to lead transportation when he was axed from his previous job that was in the midst of a transportation debacle.

1/4/2013 11:08:05 AM

I can't find a link to the story, but I heard this morning on Rush Radio that McCrony expects a voter ID law on his desk soon. (-) credibility for perpetuating the Republican party current line of garbage involving the imaginary specter of rampant voter fraud, but (+) credibility for calling for this NOW instead of 6-8 before a general election and magically expecting everyone to have one. Sadly, my political cynicism compels me to think that this is largely smoke and mirrors. They will pass their bill claiming to get everyone an ID by election time, but then will conveniently forget to fund it (gotta cut that budget, right?), or make the designated offices sparsely located and well out of the way of those whom they don't want voting.

1/10/2013 3:36:33 PM

From what I read the other day, he claims to be willing to accept a law that doesn't require photo id - if that's the case, he still has plenty of time to pull that out of his ass by general election time.

CONSPIRACY THEORY

[Edited on January 10, 2013 at 6:36 PM. Reason : ]

1/10/2013 6:35:44 PM

I'll tentatively reserve judgement on McCrony's plan unless the NCGA cobbles together something absurd like "We'll accept NRA membership cards, but not student IDs" like some other states...

1/10/2013 7:32:16 PM

What's he point of non ID voter ID? Oh yeah... Minorities

1/10/2013 7:54:09 PM

http://www.newsobserver.com/2013/01/10/2598132/gov-pat-mccrory-gives-his-cabinet.html

Quote :

"Gov. Pat McCrory gives his cabinet generous salary hikes RALEIGH -- Gov. Pat McCrory gave his cabinet secretaries pay hikes as large as $13,200, far more than anything afforded to typical state employees in recent years. The Republican’s cabinet makes a combined $1.1 million – an 8 percent increase from his Democratic predecessor."

1/11/2013 10:36:42 AM

Quote :

"McCrony's"

I like this and will work to incorporate it into my vernacular.

1/11/2013 11:30:29 AM

^^ In related news, higher education and election budgets have been cut by ~$80,000.

1/11/2013 11:50:52 AM

http://www.southernstudies.org/2013/01/cabinet-of-controversy-nc-gov-pat-mccrory%E2%80%99s-5-most-dubious-appointments.html

Quote :

"1. Art Pope: The Koch brother from another mother in charge of the state budget. 2. Kieran Shanahan: Found guilty of assaulting a neighbor's children, now leads the Department of Public Safety. 3. John Skvarla: A science skeptic takes over the Department of Environment and Natural Resources. 4. Tony Tata: Fired as superintendent of the state's largest public school system following a transportation fiasco, put in charge of the Department of Transportation. 5. Aldona Wos: Chosen to lead the Department of Health and Human Services, raising questions about McCrory's pledge to reject pay-to-play politics."

1/11/2013 12:15:55 PM

McCrory's chief lobbyist, Fred Steen, also an ALEC bigwig

http://www.indyweek.com/triangulator/archives/2013/01/11/mccrorys-chief-lobbyist-fred-steen-also-an-alec-bigwig

Quote :

"ALEC advances its agenda through “model bills,” legislation crafted by business interests and their lawmaker allies that are then introduced in multiple states. Previous bills include opposing EPA regulation of greenhouse gases, legalizing fracking, privatizing education, fighting against public health care and bans on semi-automatic firearms."

That is a great indicator of some of the upcoming legislation we will be seeing in NC this year. Also the Indy did not mention it in the article but ALEC is also the originator of Voter ID laws and the Stand Your Ground laws.

[Edited on January 11, 2013 at 1:20 PM. Reason : .]

1/11/2013 1:18:57 PM

I think they're also a big player in the whole Right To Work movement as well. Basically, anything that is horrible policy can probably be traced back to ALEC.

1/11/2013 5:17:36 PM

Search for the ALEC thread, I posted a study that found states that score highly on ALEC's freedom index wereore likely to have sluggish GDP growth and higher unemployment.

1/11/2013 5:37:58 PM

Seeing some protest pics come up on my facebook feed, outside one of the inaugural balls maybe or pay to access event that happened today or something?

1/13/2013 12:38:31 AM

This appeared during the inaugural parade as the governor drove by.


[Edited on January 13, 2013 at 8:39 AM. Reason : .]

1/13/2013 8:38:22 AM

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/28434561

Footage of the protest last night. Outside a Inaugural Ball / Fundraiser. (25-50K per person)

[Edited on January 13, 2013 at 12:04 PM. Reason : .]

1/13/2013 12:03:00 PM

I know this isn't new at all, but it sickens me that we have people living in poverty and politicians are holding fundraisers for those prices.

1/13/2013 1:52:27 PM

^

Quote :

"I know this isn't new at all, but it sickens me that we have people living in poverty and politicians are holding fundraisers for those prices."

I believe this specific instance of pay for access is new, even if big money invading politics isn't.

1/13/2013 9:15:39 PM

no its not, we've always had pay-to-play in this state. plenty of examples of corrupt democrats in NC.

1/14/2013 8:47:48 AM

^Very true but this guy won in part because many looked to him to be the one to clean it up. Obviously cronyism and the good 'ole boys network is alive and well though. It is just a new network.

1/14/2013 9:57:54 AM

PAT IS GOING TO KICK SOME BOOTY!

1/16/2013 12:22:16 AM

Gov. McCrory embraces offshore wind power as energy alternative

Quote :

"Republican Gov. Pat McCrory asserted his political independence on energy policy this week by throwing his support behind developing wind farms in North Carolina. Not just any wind farms, but offshore wind farms, which are considered among the most expensive forms of electricity, and generally denounced by conservatives and libertarians as a subsidy-dependent boondoggle. McCrory notified the feds that he endorses the Obama Administration's efforts to develop offshore wind power. The newly installed governor is making his pro-wind overture at a time that his Republican allies in the state legislature are making plans to roll back North Carolina's 2007 energy law that requires electric utilities to use wind power and other renewables. McCrory's letter, written Tuesday, to the U.S. Bureau of Ocean Energy Management is causing a stir among green energy advocates. "During the campaign he focused on offshore and onshore drilling," said Molly Diggins, the Sierra Club's North Carolina director. "So we are very encouraged that the governor recognizes that North Carolina has some of the best wind resources in the United States." The letter comes a month after the federal agency announced in December that about 1,900 square miles of Atlantic Ocean are available for offshore wind farm development. "This is an important step to develop North Carolian's world-class wind energy resources," McCrory wrote to the feds. "Development of commercial wind farms off North Carolina's coast could stimulate factory development in the state to provide the necessary equipment and bring jobs in that sector." McCrory's letter cited several major industrial companies with roots in the state that stand to benefit from wind power expansion. ABB makes cables for power transmission, Nucor makes steel plates used in turbine towers, and PGN makes fiberglass for the blades. The bureau is within the U.S. Department of Interior, which oversees ocean leasing for offshore wind farm development. In December the bureau said it would accept proposals this year from potential wind developers to gauge interest, the first step in offshore wind development. Along the East Coast other states are farther ahead in the process, with several projects approved. Getting one built, however, has proven more difficult, as the projects have run into public opposition and legal challenges. Those who support the renewable industry have said that if North Carolina takes an anti-subsidy stand on wind, solar and other renewables, other states will jump ahead in line and reap those benefits, such as federal support and economic development. McCrory campaigned as an advocate of energy drilling as well as fracking for shale gas, but his reputation is that of a practical moderate. His letter states that he believes in a comprehensive energy policy and is working on establishing a partnership with other states on offshore energy development. "Development of North Carolina's offshore wind energy resources is not just good for this state's economy, but it will continue to fulfill work toward an 'all of the above' strategy to move our nation toward greater energy independence.""

http://projects.newsobserver.com/under_the_dome/gov_mccrory_embraces_offshore_wind_power_as_energy_alternative#storylink=cpy

1/24/2013 3:45:03 PM

^ just wait until the wind turbines run into problems with the military flights at bases in eastern NC, then you will see if he is serious.

[Edited on January 24, 2013 at 4:00 PM. Reason : it is already a problem i heard on the radio.]

1/24/2013 3:59:58 PM

That's odd, because I just heard (also on the radio) that the three ocean blocks chosen were done so because they specifically did not interfere with military flight patterns or fishing. *shrug*

In inner cynic thinks that this endorsement stems from Art Pope looking to diversify his portfolio...

1/24/2013 4:44:31 PM

http://www.wral.com/dollar-named-deputy-at-dps/12025353/

Quote :

"Dollar's wife named deputy at DPS RALEIGH, N.C. — Lorrie Dollar, wife of House budget writer Nelson Dollar, R-Wake, will serve as deputy to Department of Public Safety Secretary Kieran Shanahan. The announcement was made this morning. Dollar's title is DPS' chief deputy secretary of administration."

1/26/2013 3:36:40 PM

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2013/01/republicans-still-hellbent-cutting-taxes-rich

1/29/2013 8:20:12 PM

McCrory's outlook on public universities isn't something I'll go into a great deal here right now, since someone else already started a thread on that. But he went to a private university.

And the Pope center for higher education stated that colleges are the reasons why conservatives lost nationally in the recent elections, and that they need to be dealt with. So I have a highly skeptical eye at any cuts and changes this administration directs towards our university system.

1/29/2013 10:42:11 PM

It's modern day book burning. Pretty disgusting.

1/29/2013 10:50:52 PM

http://www.allout.org/en/actions/georgia

Quote :

" Over 100 schools in the state of Georgia say 'No Gays Allowed!' – and are still taking over $170 million away from public coffers."

This isn't higher education related, but the more funds we siphon away from public education, the more we may follow this Georgia trend.

http://www.journalnow.com/news/local/article_845e97b6-6283-11e2-b31e-0019bb30f31a.html

Quote :

"“Since few charter schools provide transportation, participate in the national school lunch program or offer a wide array of special education or limited English proficiency services, a poor student who currently rides the bus, qualifies for free lunch, has a handicapped condition or does not speak English will not choose a charter school." "The N.C. Blue Ribbon Commission on Charter Schools issued a report in December 2007 that said in part that some charter schools have been successful, and some have failed. Martin said in his proposal that the state’s char-ter students showed no significant difference or better gains in reading and math than traditional public school stu-dents.""

1/29/2013 11:00:28 PM

This should be interesting...

http://www.wral.com/gov-emergency-benefits-will-end-in-july/12055330/

Quote :

"Gov. Pat McCrory says he will sign an unemployment overhaul that will cut off emergency benefits for some 80,000 jobless North Carolinians... House Speaker Thom Tillis says he expects the overhaul bill will win final House approval Tuesday. It then goes to the Senate, where President Pro Tem Phil Berger says it has strong support. It could be on the governor's desk by next weekend."

2/1/2013 4:51:07 PM

I wonder how many of those people are his voters.

2/1/2013 5:10:40 PM

80,000 less votes for McCrory in 2016. (Of course not all would be his voters anyway but he has already lost whatever chunk would have been).

Anyway of course conservative hacks will blame them for just being lazy while also saying there are no jobs because of Obama at the same time (which is it?). The reality in our state is unemployment remains high and the GOP has not taken any initiative on jobs. They are only sticking it to the little guy as expected.

[Edited on February 1, 2013 at 5:27 PM. Reason : .]

2/1/2013 5:23:45 PM

like politicians on both sides of the don't fuck the poor over routinely.

Quote :

"Not disagreeing with you, but it is mildly amusing that he has been appointed to lead transportation when he was axed from his previous job that was in the midst of a transportation debacle."

Transportation debacle due to political bullshit, and Tata was fired for those reasons. If I recall correctly Tata was a transportation officer in the Army.

2/1/2013 6:34:30 PM

His blustering about how much he hates unemployed people is mostly to cover for the fact that he raised taxes on businesses as part of that process.

Very interesting...

2/2/2013 12:09:59 AM

^^ Yeah, I think that Tata is more than qualified for the position and his military background will likely play a large role in his success in the position. And of course his hiring/firing were political. Superintendents serve at the pleasure of the school board and it is pretty common for sitting superintendents to get ousted when the makeup of the board changes. I doubt that Tata was in the least bit shocked when it was all said and done.

2/2/2013 9:44:03 AM

This is going to be a disaster

http://www.wral.com/senate-oks-overhaul-of-state-commissions/12077969/

2/7/2013 4:11:34 PM

McCrory and his legislature are certainly keeping the WRAL reporters busy.

"McCrory backs bill to stop Medicaid expansion"
http://www.wral.com/mccrory-backs-bill-to-stop-medicaid-expansion/12095491/

Quote :

"RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Pat McCrory is backing a move by the legislature to block the state from expanding its Medicaid program or participating in the state health insurance exchanges created by the federal Affordable Care Act."

Quote :

"Partisan politics is also at play. The Affordable Care Act, sometimes called Obamacare, is a key Democratic initiative. McCrory and legislative leaders are Republicans. However, as The Los Angeles Times recently wrote, some GOP governors like John Kasich of Ohio and Jan Brewer of Arizona have embraced Medicaid expansion, if not the exchanges. "

http://www.wral.com/committee-sends-bill-blocking-medicaid-expansion-to-house-floor/12096745/

Quote :

"The measure gathered unusually high-profile attention. Budget Director Art Pope was in the room to watch the vote and Carol Steckle, the head of the state's Medicaid program, was in the room to answer questions for lawmakers. House Speaker Thom Tillis, R-Mecklenburg, and Majority Whip Mike Hager, R-Rutherford, were also on hand. Committee members voted down two amendments offered by Rep. Verla Insko, D-Orange, that would have allowed the state more flexibility in working with the Affordable Care Act. "

http://www.wral.com/today-nccapitol-feb-12-health-care-unemployment-and-the-red-route/12094384/

Quote :

"The national president of Americans for Prosperity, Tim Phillips, will talk about North Carolina's agenda. This presser is doubly noteworthy because until earlier this year, McCrory's budget director, Art Pope, served as a board member of AFP's national organization. Location: NCGA press room."

AFP aka Tea Party that Pope was helping the Koch brothers run.

http://www.wral.com/bill-opening-north-carolina-to-fracking-filed/12093627/

"Docs bash Berger's 'Obamacare' petition"
http://www.wral.com/docs-bash-berger-s-petition/12093513/

2/12/2013 12:34:16 PM

I get the right-wing distaste for Obamacare, but what's wrong with the "health exchanges" part? Wasn't a lot of that portion written to appease republicans...?

2/12/2013 1:34:24 PM

Quote :

"but what's wrong with the "health exchanges" part?"

It was part of a democratic bill, therefore it has to be terrible in the eyes of Republicans.

2/12/2013 2:06:46 PM