Break Lobbying rules in NC and you can get a slap on the wrist
Posted on July 7th, 2006 by ecthompson
By a nearly unanimous vote, 106-3, House members tentatively banned lobbyists and their clients from giving big gifts to legislators. Violators could face a misdemeanor charge, a two-year ban on lobbying and a civil fine of up to $5,000 per violation.
Nearly? Nearly, what’s up with this? Why such a wimpy fine? We are talking about possibly influencing millions and millions of dollars and the find is $5,000?
This is clearly a start but it should be looked at is only a start. The Legislature should put some real teeth into cleaning up corruption at the state and local level. It should be clear that the state of North Carolina is not for sale.
NOt for sale? One would think so but as our own house speaker Jim Black has shown us, it probabaly is! Did you know that (among other things) he hsa requested $200,000 to cover legal expenses accrued from investgations into the lottery,video poker, and workers (past and present) from his office. Guess who will pay for this? That’s right folks. We will. The taxpayers. This is but one example. We are already footing the bill for two former Attty. Generals, including Alan Gell, who was sent to death row! Even though he was cleared years later you have to ask yourselves, “Should we really have to pay for this. I have the feeling that if it was me who was on trial I would not have all that money backing me.I mean,would all of you pay for my crimes?
You’re exactly right!