VOLUME 8 ISSUE 14
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WWW.NSJONLINE.COM
WEDNESDAY, MAY 31, 2023
PHOTO VIA AP
The North Carolina National Guard presents the colors during the opening session of the N.C. House of Representatives Wednesday, Jan. 11, 2023, in Raleigh.
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Like Jordan, Wilson’s freshman lawmaker has come ‘to play’
BRIEF this week
NC Democratic political strategist dies in boating accident Raleigh Conen Morgan, a political strategist and former president of the Young Democrats of North Carolina was killed in a Sunday in a boating accident. He was 42. A Cape Lookout National Seashore release stated that the boat took a wave that capsized three people on board. One man collapsed after making it to Shackleford Banks and was unresponsive. “Conen Morgan’s hard work and determination made a real, positive difference for people of North Carolina. His loss is a tragedy and we send our deepest sympathy to his family and friends,” Gov. Cooper said. House Minority Leader Robert Reives (D-Chatham) said Morgan’s death is not just shocking, but heartbreaking. Morgan graduated from Garner High School and from N.C. State University.
NSJ STAFF
Cooper brings back senior advisor Raleigh Gov. Roy Cooper’s former senior advisor Ken Eudy has apparently been rehired as of April 1 according to government salary data. Records show Eudy was rehired as an “administrative officer” with a salary of $148,523; a $65,043 increase over his final salary in 2021 and $73,523 more than he was paid as a “policy director” in 2017. No announcement was made by the governor or his office related to Eudy’s return. Eudy was one of the first hires named by Cooper after being elected in 2016. Even before Cooper was sworn in, Eudy drew sharp criticism for penning a column in which he said he sits in protest when crowds cheer and stand to honor military service members. By December 2021, a party was held at the Executive Mansion celebrating Eudy’s retirement. The retirement followed a series of hearings on the Dominion Energy and Duke Energy Atlantic Coast Pipeline project during which communications came to light involving Eudy and a $57.8 million dollar “mitigation fund” that would be controlled by the governor. NSJ STAFF
By A.P. Dillon North State Journal
Air Force One doubles as a campaign jet for Biden’s reelection run. Who pays what? Associated Press WASHINGTON, D.C. — When Joe Biden was running for president three years ago, he flew on a white private jet with his campaign logo painted on the side. Now he has a larger, more recognizable ride as he seeks a second term. Like his predecessors, he’ll be crisscrossing the country on Air Force One. Every president blends their governmental and political duties, but never more than when they’re running for reelection. “Official” events can sound especially political, while “political” events can delve deeply into the policy initiatives of the day. And decisions
on how to divvy up the costs of a president’s travels between taxpayers and the campaign is no simple task. The massive logistical and security apparatus that surrounds a president continues no matter where they are or whether they’re on government or political business. Even mundane trips require an assortment of helicopters, armored cars and other vehicles and staff to ferry the president, aides, security personnel and journalists from place to place. By longstanding practice, most of those costs are borne by taxpayers, a smaller amount picked up by See BIDEN, page A2
RALEIGH — Sporting a red blazer and matching Air Jordans, Rep. Ken Fontenot (R-Wilson) smiled ear to ear while discussing his activities during his first term in the North Carolina House with North State Journal. In addition to serving at the legislature, Fontenot is currently a pastor but is also a military veteran, having served in the Marines from 2005 through 2014. Fontenot, grinning about his matching footwear, said he draws inspiration from basketball legend Michael Jordan. “What I loved was the passion - that he was going to make his mark while he was there” Fontenot said. “And so that’s what I said I’m going to do is I don’t know how I’m going to be here, but I am coming to play.” And play he has as evidenced by his charismatic floor remarks, including his vocal support for House Bill 823, which expands school choice scholarships to all students in the state. Last week, Democratic Gov. Roy Cooper launched a “state of emergency” over the bill that included a video statement on Twitter and a “state of emergency” banner on the governor’s official state website. Fontenot, who hails from the
same county as former “education governor” Jim Hunt, had some choice words about Cooper’s rhetoric on school choice. “First off I would say the governor’s actions unfortunately reek of political politics and dramatics and desperation knowing that we have veto override power and yes, we’re going to use it,” said Fontenot. He added it was no secret they would override a veto on the bill and said that “on day one” lawmakers agreed “we will override every veto.” “When it comes to this education thing, what I find frustrating is he is championing this system [one of] his children didn’t participate in,” Fontenot said. “They went to a private school – St. Mary’s.” “Why is it that because he’s more affluent… he has access to these things and then the people that need it, because their school system was not meeting their needs, shouldn’t have it?” asked Fontenot. Following his time in the Marine Corps., Fontenot was a teacher at a private Christian school in Wilson County before becoming a teacher for Wilson County Public Schools. Citing support for school choice by minorities, Fontenot said comments made by one Hispanic mother about children having an See FONTENOT, page A8
Sports betting, medical marijuana back on legislative radar By Matt Mercer North State Journal RALEIGH — Legislation that would establish sports betting and open the door to legalized medical marijuana is back on the General Assembly’s plate this week. An N.C. Senate committee made several changes to the March bill approved by the N.C. House of Representatives, including language to make it easier for adults to bet in person and adding horse racing to the list of approved betting options. The measure also increases the tax rate on the revenues that the legalized sportsbooks would generate. The chief sponsor of the House measure declined to comment after
“I’ll wait and see what the final product is.” Rep. Jason Saine (R-Lincoln) the committee vote on the changes. The Senate version must still go through two committees and floor votes. “I’ll wait to see what their final product is,” GOP Rep. Jason Saine of Lincoln County said in a text message to the Associated Press. “Betting on sports in our state is occurring. But in order for us to regulate it, in order for us to tax it and provide a public benefit from
those taxes, we have to authorize it first,” Sen. Tim Moffitt, a Henderson County Republican, told colleagues. Legal sports gambling is only available right now at three casinos operated by two American Indian tribes. Largely similar to the House version approved in March, the Senate’s proposal would direct the North Carolina Lottery Commission to issue up to 12 interactive sports wagering licenses to entities that would be subject to robust background checks and $1 million application fees. While the House would levy a 14% privilege tax on operators’ gross revenue, minus winnings and other See LEGISLATION, page A2
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