Thomas Wright

I've been listening to the hearing on State Government Radio -- with no pleasure.
www.StateGovernmentRadio.com.

Chock full of links

I'm relieved that Joe stepped up.

Updated with video, courtesy of the Dome. A.

Since Jim Black checked into an extended-stay facility in Lewisburg, PA the metaphors surrounding Joe Sinsheimer have been flying thick and thin. Guest number 50655-056 at the USP Lewisburg probably has a few choice metaphors of his own given that he once called a reporter "A sorry sack of s**t", a metaphor that was not forgotten by the NC Capital Press Corps.

Under the Dome wrote a piece called A new sheriff in town? noting that

Gary Pearce and Carter Wrenn agree that Joe Sinsheimer has become a force to be reckoned with in Raleigh.

Pearce called him Joe Sledgehammer saying that:

He’s honest. He’s not beholden to anybody. And he’s a hell of a good political researcher. He knows how to get information, and he gets it right.

Stronger ethics laws are great. But what North Carolina really needs to clean up politics may just be more Sledgehammers.

It's about time.

Dear Speaker Hackney.

It's been a while since I last wrote to you - back before you were elected Speaker. From all I can see, you are doing an admirable job for the most part, navigating the swirling waters of North Carolina state politics with grace and honor. As well you should. You set the bar high in your opening speech as Speaker, when you said:

I come here today with the greatest respect for this North Carolina House of Representatives, and the people who come here to serve in it:

There is no place in this State where public servants are more in tune with the citizens of North Carolina, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the issues of government and politics are better or more fully debated, than in this chamber.

There is no place in this State where the interests of the less fortunate of our citizens are better represented, than in this chamber.

It's hard to say who leaned on whom, but thanks to all of YOU - and especially Greg Flynn - for leaning on Thomas Wright over the past few weeks.

RALEIGH, N.C. -- A onetime ally of former House Speaker Jim Black resigned his House committee posts Monday because of an ongoing investigation into his campaign finances. Rep. Thomas Wright, D-New Hanover, sent an e-mail to current House Speaker Joe Hackney and the chamber's Democratic members announcing his decision.

Wright said he stepped aside as chairman of the Health Committee and the Appropriations Subcommittee on Capital so he wouldn't cast a cloud on the Democratic Party.