tony rand

Joe Sinsheimer today called on Governor Perdue reconsider the appointment of Tony Rand to the state's Parole Commission. I couldn't agree more.

Senator Rand’s statements to the Raleigh News & Observer on Friday, December 11, 2009 (“Rand says he knows little of LEA”) are absurd and misleading and raise questions as to whether Rand is the right person to try to reform the state’s broken parole system. Rand’s comments to the News & Observer indicate that he either shirked his duties in apparent violation of federal securities law or is deliberating misrepresenting his role at Law Enforcement Associates Inc. In either case, Rand’s activity should disqualify him from serving as head of the state’s parole commission.

Tony Rand isn't the first person I've heard about who serves as the chairman of a corporate board with no apparent knowledge about the company he keeps. So it's entirely possible that Rand is telling the truth when he says, "I know nothing."

How long has he been chairman of LEA's board?

"I'm really not sure," Rand replied.

It's hard to question anyone who's 70 years old and wants to get out the sausage factory in Raleigh. But on the heels of Tony Rand's rapid fall from grace, you'll be forgiven for wondering if something smells a little fishy around David Hoyle's recent announcement.

For a fine, upstanding public servant, Mr. Rand sure spends a lot of time doing business with crooks. If your stomach can stand it, WRAL has the story. Here's the letter accusing Rand of insider trading.

In case it's not already clear, the NC Democratic Party leadership has a mountain of a mess on its hands, especially in the Senate, where Rand's particular brand of arrogance appears to be business as usual.

I wonder if Mike Easley will be looking for a new bunk mate.

UPDATE FROM TWITTER:

Rand on insider trading allegations: "It has about as much truth to it as Snow White and Seven Dwarfs"

Most of what I can find about Senator Martin Nesbitt leans in the direction of positive in my view. I hope that bodes well for his tenure as majority leader in the NC Senate. A discussion I found on the Asheville Citizen Times website is encouraging.

As you have no doubt read, Senator Tony Rand announced his retirement yesterday, spawning a wave of spinning from the chattering classes that will continue for months to come. Even the Wakers are weighing in, with nonsense like this from McClatchy reporter Mark Johnson, channeling Senate minority leader, Phil Berger.

Flanked from the left

A leftward shift in the Democratic caucus that controls the Senate made his role as majority leader more difficult. A growing coalition of more liberal Democrats in the Senate helped push through laws this year that allow more comprehensive sex education, specifically protect gay students from bullying and allow death penalty challenges based on race.

Over the past few years, I've written at least two dozen emails to Senator Tony Rand's office. A few of my notes have been pats on the back, but the majority have questioned actions in the Senate that I oppose. I can count on zero fingers the number of replies I've received.

Of course, that hasn't stopped Mr. Rand from writing to me on other matters. For example, today I received this email request to contribute to the North Carolina Democratic Party Senate Caucus.

One year from today, you will have the opportunity to help decide the direction of our state for the next decade.

The 2010 elections are rapidly approaching and their importance cannot be overstated. The Party that is in control of the legislature after those elections will be in charge of redistricting. Currently, Senate Democrats hold a 30-20 advantage, but if Republicans are able to flip just six races next November they could redraw the lines and secure control for the next decade.

At a time when budgets are being cut to the bone and beyond, tone-deaf leaders in the NC Senate are sticking to their guns on the Great Tuition Giveaway for out of state athletes. Pricey Harrison explained the situation.

"We're proposing to lay off thousands of teachers, we're cutting vital programs to the neediest," said Rep. Pricey Harrison, D-Guilford, a longtime exemption critic. "It's hard to rationalize spending (millions) to subsidize booster clubs so that they can bring in out-of-state athletes and academic scholarship programs."

Over the past few weeks State Government has been dogged by a number of huge issues facing the state. Not the least of these are an estimated 3 Billion plus budget shortfall over the 09-11 fiscal years and a State Health Plan in crisis.

Through it all, Governor Bev Perdue has worked hard to protect working families, even while others push her in the wrong direction.

Just when you thought there weren't enough battles for us to fight, the wildfire of insurance company greed is spreading again in North Carolina. With the flames being fanned by NC Senator Tony Rand, North Carolina's automobile insurers are eager to let the market do its magic. This is going to be a long, hard fight, and before it goes nuclear, make sure you know who's on which side. It's actually pretty simple. The leadership in the North Carolina Senate is generally on the side of insurance companies making more profits, and Insurance Commissioner Jim Long is generally on the side of we the people.