People in Politics August 16, 2014 Print
People In Politics
Friday, 15 August 2014 09:43

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The fall ballot will be jammed with races for U.S. Senate, Congress, and state legislature, but voters will also be asked to give a thumbs up or thumbs down to a constitutional amendment. Host Donna Martinez talks with N.C. House Speaker Pro Tem Paul "Skip" Stam, R-Wake, about his support for the amendment which, if passed, would also defendants to waive a jury trial. Stam, an attorney, explains why he thinks the change will help the efficiency of the justice system and make it more just. Then Martinez and Stam discuss last week's ruling by a federal judge that North Carolina's election reform law is enforceable. The law has been the subject of vocal criticism from the N.C. NAACP and Attorney General Eric Holder. Stam also offers his view on the newly passed state budget, including the hotly debated issue of offering tax credits to the film and TV industry. Then 4th District Democratic Congressman David Price explains why he is critical of moves by the Republican in the legislature when it comes to the election law changes and the decision to exit the federal extended unemployment benefits program. That's followed by perspective on the U.S. Senate race from political analyst Doug Raymond, who says the Kay Hagan campaign is about to make a mistake following months of good campaign decisions. The barrage of advertising set to run over the next few weeks on behalf of Democrat Hagan and her Republican challenger, House Speaker Thom Tillis, are then scrutinized by Rick Henderson of Carolina Journal. In the weekly "On the Trail" segment, Henderson updates Martinez on messaging from the two major candidates, polls that show the race a dead heat, and why the Hagan camp is choosing to go after Tillis on education. The two also discuss a national publication's profile of Democrat Clay Aiken, who is running in the 2nd congressional district against Republican incumbent Renee Ellmers, and the debate schedule for Republican Mark Walker and Democrat Laura Fjeld in the 6th District congressional race. 

Last Updated on Friday, 15 August 2014 11:00