From the Raleigh News & Observer
December 9, 2008

Charlotte Observer Finds Donors Get “Bigger than Average” Breaks

N.C. Labor Department has sloughed worker law to the side.

By The Charlotte Observer
September 16, 2008

By David Ingram
dingram@charlotteobserver.com

Mary Fant Donnan, the Democratic nominee for N.C. labor commissioner, strongly criticized Republican incumbent Cherie Berry on Wednesday for Berry's recent decision not to increase safety inspections at poultry plants.

Donnan's disagreement, in an interview with the Observer, suggests the conditions of poultry workers could become a key issue as the candidates compete for votes this fall.

“We're at a point where the fox is guarding the hen house,” Donnan said.

“There are serious questions about whether we have an underreporting of workplace injuries,” she added.

Sexual Predators Will Face Stiffer Punishment For Rape Or Sexual Offenses Against Children

Grants Will Aid In Fights Against Gangs, Domestic Violence, Juvenile Delinquency And Drug Abuse

Gov. Mike Easley today announced that the Governor’s Crime Commission awarded $20.6 million to state and local agencies to make communities safer and assist crime victims. The money will help programs that detect and deter gang activity, assist victims of domestic violence and sexual assault, prevent juvenile delinquency and fight drug abuse.

“Preventing crime, gang activity, domestic violence and child abuse requires that we work together at the community, state and federal levels,” said Easley. “These grants help our state and local agencies develop programs and get the resources they need to keep our communities safe and secure.”

By Lisa Zagaroli, McClatchy Newspapers

Rep. Mel Watt said Wednesday he would push forward with legislation curbing insurers' ability to weigh whether people pay their credit card bills on time in determining if they get good car insurance rates.

The Charlotte Democrat, who chairs an oversight panel of the House Financial Services Committee, said he remains convinced that the use of credit scores amounts to allowing racial discrimination as a factor in setting premiums.

“I don't think it's any more rational to be basing insurance premiums on credit than for lenders to base credit decisions on driving records,” Watt said after holding his second hearing on the matter. “It just doesn't make any sense.”