Question to Dennis Wicker and Bob Orr – For 14 years the Eastern District Court of North Carolina has had an open seat to the federal bench. Previous presidents have nominated prospective judges for this lifetime appointment, but none could get US Senate approval. President Trump had nominated Thomas Farr for the seat, but South Carolina Senator Tim Scott helped block the appointment. Now President Trump has nominated UNC Law Professor Richard Myers to fill the seat. Are Myers chances for confirmation better? Why or why not?

Question to Chris Fitzsimon and Rick Henderson – Several weeks ago we discussed a bill that would change the way Duke Energy set their rates. SB 550 had passed the Senate and was being debated in the House. After much discussion the House decided to refer this to a committee to study changing the way the state Utilities Commission sets rates, rather than authorize a major overhaul in rate setting. What do you think of this study commission idea?

Topics:

Will Sheriffs be Required to Obey ICE?

Spend, Save or Return the Surplus

NCAA Punts on Academic Accountability

Tell Us Something We Don’t Know

Panelists:

Chris Fitzsimon, Director, The Newsroom

Rick Henderson, Editor in Chief, Carolina Journal

Bob Orr, Former Supreme Court Justice

Dennis Wicker, Former Lieutenant Governor

Tom Campbell, Moderator

Tom discusses what the Legislature wants to do with the recently discovered budget surplus.

Question to John Hood and Chris Fitzsimon – File this one under “If you don’t go along, you’ll have to move.” Ray Russell is a freshman Democrat in the House. A few days ago Russell’s administrative assistant was told by House Rules Chair David Lewis that Russell’s office is being moved to make way for another legislator. His new office is in the basement of the legislative building was formerly a copy machine center in an area of the building with no windows. Russell has bucked House leadership and assumes the move is retribution for not going along with leadership. Have you ever heard of moves like this being made so late in a session? What do you think about this?

Question to Tamara Barringer and Howard Lee – In 2018 a poll showed that 74 percent of those surveyed supported bail reform and 73 percent want to limit the length of time a defendant not accused of a serious violent crime can be held because they are unable to pay bail. Is it time North Carolina reformed our bail laws? If so, what recommendations would you make?

NC Spin #1083 - Friday August 16, 2019

Topics:

Did hospitals win?

Four out of five governors speak out on gerrymandering

Why colleges have such low graduation rates

Going the last mile

Tell us something we don’t know

Panelists:

Howard Lee, former State Senator

Chris Fitzsimon, Director, The Newsroom

John Hood, syndicated columnist, and author

Tamara Barringer, former State Senator

Tom Campbell, Moderator

Tom Campbell uses the Bible story of David and Goliath to talk about the State Employee's Health Plan.

Tom Campbell asks: Whatever happened to Moderates?