MISTER Folwell: Leading the way

 

 

State treasurer Dale Folwell got raked over the coals — even by members of his own party — when he pushed for transparency in  the pricing offered by health care providers.  Along comes President Trump who issues an executive order calling for pretty much the same thing but on  a national scale.  Interestingly, there’s not so much background noise in reaction to Trump’s move.

 

A few months back, we heard Folwell issue a call for the resignation of Roy Cooper’s DOT chief for gross mismanagement of that state agency.  Two days ago,  we hear the DOT secretary is, um, “retiring.”– after three years on the job. 

 

 

The Republican leadership on Jones Street had high praise for the “retiring” DOT secretary who was the target of Folwell’s criticism.  Folwell, himself,  had a few words in reaction to the “retirement” announcement:

 

My calling for the Governor to replace Secretary Trogdon was never personal. It was, however, about the need for change at the top of an organization that has lost its financial way.  

 

Just last week, the Governor’s Department of Transportation (DOT) asked for another $100 million from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) to overcome February shortages. This is in addition to the over $2 billion in overspending last year including more than $1 billion taken from the HTF.  

 

On behalf of taxpayers, DOT employees and contractors, we look forward to working with Mr. Boyette to bring DOT out of the multibillion-dollar ditch that it has dug over the last 16 months. Only through an accurate accounting of the money that has been spent, and will be spent, can we ensure a stable road building program while still maintaining the state’s coveted “AAA” credit rating.

 

We’re nine months out from a huge election and Dale Folwell is pretty much the only senior elected Republican in the state playing offense against the Democrats.  Raleigh Republicans, it seems, are more likely (and comfortable) to attack Folwell than to criticize Cooper.

 

 

It could give one the impression that the NCGOPe is already conceding 2020 to the Big Goof currently occupying the mansion on Blount Street.