(01-10-05) The new members of the General Assembly came to Raleigh last week for orientation sessions about everything from expense allowances to hiring a staff member to how to introduce a bill. They also heard from legislative leaders, including House Speaker Jim Black…

(01-07-05) Back to Taxing debate. Governor Mike Easley is at it again…

You have to give those anti-government folks credit for one thing, they are true believers and willing to twist, stretch and distort almost anything to support their philosophy of blame.

A bizarre example came in Thursday’s column in the News and Observer by Rick Martinez, who wrote that after he met with Barbara Goodmon at the A.J. Fletcher Foundation, he was convinced that the under-served population — the homeless, the disabled, children, the poor, elderly and addicted — needs more government funding.

More evidence this week of the cozy relationship between lobbyists, politicians and legislative staff that gives folks with money more access, influence and power over vital decisions about state policy that affects our lives.

First, news that North Carolina Citizens for Business and Industry has hired Rolf Blizzard as its new lobbyist at the General Assembly. Blizzard is the Chief of Staff to Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight. That means he is not only close to Basnight and the rest of his staff, but has also worked closely with key Senators for the last several years.

A lot of politicians are criticized for voting with both eyes on the polls, more worried about their reelection than standing up for their convictions or philosophy.

The criticism is often justified, especially close to an election when some political consultants use polls to find an issue that divides the voters, something the candidate can demagogue in 30-second commercials and political mailings.

Good for Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight.

After an election season that brought us politicians of both parties promising to cut taxes and signing an absurd pledge to never vote for any tax increase, Basnight offered an all too rare dose of common sense recently about the budget crisis facing state lawmakers.