Senate Democrats want new hearing for Boyle

Moderate Democrats in an influential group of U.S. senators want to hold another hearing on the nomination of U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals.

After a closed-door meeting Wednesday of the so-called Gang of 14, a bipartisan group of moderate senators, Democrats said they will ask the leadership of the Senate Judiciary Committee for another chance at Boyle.The loose-knit Gang of 14 helped stave off a filibuster last year on judicial nominees.

Recent news articles allege that Boyle broke a conflict-of-interest law by ruling in cases involving companies in which he had disclosed he had a financial stake.

The Judiciary Committee endorsed Boyle's nomination last summer in a party line vote, and his name was sent to the Senate floor. Senate Majority Leader Bill Frist said in April that he wanted to bring Boyle up for a vote by Memorial Day, but that may now be in jeopardy.

Democratic leaders have pledged to filibuster Boyle if his nomination is brought to the floor.

Meanwhile, Boyle's former law clerks have come to his defense.

In a letter to Frist and Sen. Arlen Specter, chairman of the Judiciary Committee, Wes Camden, Lora Taylor and Andrew Tripp wrote: "We are young lawyers lucky enough to have had the opportunity to study under a thoughtful, pragmatic trial judge. We strenuously object to the mischaracterization of Judge Boyle's character and integrity."

Hayes an E85 convert

U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes didn't know his 2005 Chevy Suburban could run on fancy E85 corn fuel until Tuesday morning, when a staff member popped his gas cap after a news conference and saw the sticker.

Hayes steered the truck over to the pump and filled 'er up with the $2.69-a-gallon fuel.

Hayes, a Republican from Concord, said lots of drivers have no clue their cars can run on E85, a blend of 85 percent corn-based ethanol and 15 percent gasoline. The fuel is so rare fewer than 1 percent of all gas stations in the United States carry it.

But E85 is considered more environmentally friendly than regular gasoline. It burns cleaner and is biodegradable.

"It's a really good value," Hayes said in an interview.

Hayes introduced a bill he hopes will make the fuel more widely available. He wants to increase a tax incentive offered to gas station owners who install the hardware for the E85 fuel.

The bill would give gas station owners a 75 percent tax credit, worth up to $30,000, for installing fuel pumps and lines for E85 fuel.

"This makes it a viable business decision," Hayes said. The investment is about $40,000 for station owners, he said.

About 6 million cars now can run on E85, Hayes said, and about 20 plants around the country are in various stages of construction to produce more of the fuel. One of the plants is in Hoke County.

Etheridge goes green, too

In more alternative fuel news, U.S. Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Democrat from Lillington, introduced legislation Thursday to promote biofuels as an alternative to gasoline.

The legislation would double the percentage of renewable fuel sold in the United States within six years. It would require that 75 percent of American-made cars be able to run on alternative fuels within six years.

It would invest money in biofuels and provide federal incentives to boost development of small ethanol and other biofuel plants.

And, like Hayes, Etheridge wants to promote E85 fuel. Etheridge's legislation would expand the number of gas stations offering E85 fuel through a combination of incentives and requirements.

Hail to the speech

North Carolina will have a presidential feel about it Monday. Or perhaps that's a wannabe president feel.

Three men who are considering running in 2008 will be in the state Monday.

Former Virginia Gov. Mark Warner, a Democrat, kicks the day off with a speech Monday morning at Wake Forest University's commencement ceremony.

Former New York Mayor Rudy Giuliani will speak at a lunchtime fundraiser in Raleigh for the state Republican Party.

And former U.S. Sen. John Edwards, who is from North Carolina, will speak at an event Monday afternoon at the Legislative Building to call for an increase in the state minimum wage.