Category: NC State Government

L’affaire Laroque offers unique glimpse into secretive world of legislative ethics

Posted on February 2, 2012 by Brant Clifton

State Rep. Stephen Laroque — a close friend and political ally of House Speaker Thom Tillis — is taking a lot of heat over his management

Tolls? Really? Seriously?

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Brant Clifton

North Carolina drivers are paying the highest gasoline tax south of The Mason-Dixon Line. Now, our state government wants to shake us down for what’s left in our pockets by

Barry & Bev’s economy, by the numbers

Posted on February 1, 2012 by Brant Clifton

We here at The Haymaker want to make sure you have ALL the vital information you need to make thoughtful, responsible decisions this election year.

NC Dems out-foxxed

Posted on January 31, 2012 by Brant Clifton

Charlotte mayor Anthony Foxx, fresh off an overwhelmingly successful reelection campaign, is putting out word through surrogates that he is taking a pass on the governor’s race. So, that

McCrory by the numbers

Posted on January 31, 2012January 31, 2012 by Brant Clifton

Tara Servatius at ‘The Meck Deck” has an interesting numbers-based take on The Tar Heel State’s governor-in-waiting Pat McCrory: … McCrory’s chances would depend

Handicapping the contenders for NC Governor

Posted on January 27, 2012 by Brant Clifton

That sound you hear — in the wake of Bev’s announcement yesterday — is the explosion of politician egos. From Murphy to Manteo, ambitious “public servants”

Bev: Outta Here?

Posted on January 26, 2012 by Brant Clifton

Reports are swirling through state political circles and political media that Bev Perdue will announce, at a press conference later today, that she will not seek reelection as governor.

Game On! Judges refuse to delay NC primary elections

Posted on January 23, 2012 by Brant Clifton

A three judge panel in Raleigh refused this week to grant a request from Democrats and liberal activists to delay the state’s May primary. This decision puts into play

‘Government Gone Wild’ in Fayetteville

Posted on January 22, 2012January 22, 2012 by Brant Clifton

Fayetteville businesswoman Jackie Pfendler thought she was doing something good for her community. She bought an old abandoned building in 2009 in a troubled part of town, spent $1

A DEM rumble for Secretary of DPI

Posted on January 19, 2012 by Brant Clifton

NC Department of Public Instruction secretary June Atkinson (D) has ended months of speculation by publicly declaring her intention to seek reelection to her post in 2012. That sets