People in Politics February 9, 2013 Print
People In Politics
Monday, 11 February 2013 14:08

 

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North Carolina Democrats reeling from devastating losses at the ballot box and a scandal inside state party headquarters have elected a new chairman to lead the party back to power and influence. Pittsboro Mayor Randy Voller narrowly defeated former Congressman Bob Etheridge for the post. Host Donna Martinez talks with Voller about his vision, his message, and his style, as well as his view of Republican policies. Then Stephanie Hawco of NCN News joins Martinez to talk about two legislative bills that this week drew fire from critics of the Republican legislative majority and praise from supporters. The bills involve paring back unemployment benefits as part of a plan to repay the federal government more than $2 billion the state borrowed, and a bill to clear out Democrats from a variety of key boards and commissions. Hawco also talks about the lighter side of the week, as evidenced by a bill called the Opossum Right to Work Act. Then we hear eyebrow-raising comments made on the N.C. House floor by Democratic Rep. Jean Farmer-Butterfield of Pitt and Wilson counties. Rep. Butterfield opposes the GOP’s unemployment bill, which she said will lead to a variety of social ills including “suicides and mass killings.” That’s followed by a lively debate among four panelists over whether North Carolina should require a photo I.D. to vote. Republicans are likely to pass such a bill this session, and political watchers expect Gov. Pat McCrory to sign it. Panelists against a photo I.D. are Bob Hall of Democracy North Carolina and Allison Riggs of the Southern Coalition for Social Justice. Panelist favoring a photo I.D. are John Fund of National Reviewe and Hans von Spakovsky of the Heritage Foundation. The forum was sponsored by the Triangle Chapter of The Federalist Society.