Black caucus feels heat over scholarships
Saturday, June 30th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
By Lynn Bonner and Ryan Teague Beckwith, Staff Writers The Legislative Black Caucus is a force at the General Assembly.
It is a steady and sometimes effective advocate for causes, such as raising the minimum wage and funding historically black colleges, that at times face long odds. It can be a powerful voting bloc, particularly in the state House. Its members hold leadership positions on important legislative committees.
But this week, the caucus has faced more questions about its nonprofit foundation than about votes or legislative work. The foundation collects donations from politicians, political committees and corporations to pay for college scholarships and an annual dinner and education conference. At issue is the disclosure that relatives of five members of the caucus, all Democratic House members, received scholarships from the foundation in 2005 and 2006.
Some caucus members have defended the practice, with some wondering aloud why anyone would be troubled by it.
But government watchdogs criticized the scholarship awards. At least one caucus member, Sen. Charlie Dannelly, a Charlotte Democrat, questioned the appearance of recommending relatives for scholarships.
"It may not necessarily look good for a relative to get it, particularly a close relative," he said.
What troubles the watchdogs is that it is not readily apparent who has been footing the foundation’s bills. The foundation’s tax forms, in accordance with federal law, don’t have to list details on donors.
As a result, corporate and individual donations to the foundation are not readily available. But public reports from political committees show that a range of Democratic politicians, including Gov. Mike Easley, have contributed from their campaign funds. Former House Speaker Jim Black, a Mecklenburg County Democrat, contributed $5,500 between 1995 and 2005. (more…)
Last 5 posts in Daily News
- Senator backs less business regulation - September 5th, 2008
- Drunken Driving - September 5th, 2008
- Easley budget adviser Gerlach going to Golden LEAF - September 5th, 2008
- Lottery case before Supreme Court next week - September 5th, 2008
- Bowles opposes lowering legal drinking age - September 4th, 2008
Email This Post
Print This Post
