Black to appoint lobbying panel

House Speaker Jim Black, who has been in the midst of continuing controversy over possible lobbying law violations and other ethics concerns, is expected to appoint a special House committee this week to focus on reforms.

The step comes as both Gov. Mike Easley and Senate leader Marc Basnight have also said changes in laws are probably necessary in light of disclosures in recent weeks surrounding the start-up of the state lottery.

The House committee will examine whether lobbying law changes passed this year but not scheduled to take effect until 2007 should be pushed up. The changes include closing a loophole to require more disclosure of spending by lobbyists on lawmakers, but it would not apply for the legislative session that begins in May.

The House committee will also study whether state ethics laws "need to be further clarified or strengthened," according to Black's spokeswoman, Julie Robinson. She said any study would include a look at requiring future appointees to various state boards and commissions to sign a sworn statement to ensure full and accurate responses on state ethics disclosure forms.

Two people with ties to Black are under investigation for possible lobbying law or ethics violations that are part of the committee's work.

Black appointed Kevin Geddings of Charlotte to the lottery commission. But Geddings did not reveal in ethics forms that he had been paid $24,500 this year by lottery company Scientific Games. The state ethics board says it has no basis to punish him for failing to disclose information it thinks he should have. Black has said he did not know of Geddings' work for Scientific Games when he appointed him.

A close aide to Black, Raleigh lobbyist Meredith Norris, also worked for Scientific Games this year. The company reimbursed her for more than $3,000 in meals and entertaining of Black and other lawmakers. The company disclosed the payments in a filing with the state but said that current lobbying laws didn't require the disclosure.

Jones to face challenger

Randall Stewart, a physical therapist from Rocky Mount, plans to challenge Republican Congressman Walter Jones next year.

Stewart, a Democrat, is owner and president of Carolina Physical Therapy Associates in Rocky Mount and is a past member of the Nash County board of commissioners. Jones, a Farmville business consultant, has represented the 3rd District since 1995.

Gore -- not that one -- to run

The "Swamp Judge" is running for state Supreme Court.

Superior Court Judge Bill Gore, an old friend of Gov. Mike Easley, plans to run for the state's high court next year. Gore was given the nickname by Dallas Cameron, a former courts administrator and fellow Columbus County native.

Gore was a fellow prosecutor with Easley in Eastern North Carolina during the 1970s and 1980s, when they prosecuted political corruption and drug gangs. He has been a trial judge for the past 25 years.

He is seeking the seat being vacated by Justice George L. Wainwright Jr.

Hunt joins Arkansas board

Former Gov. Jim Hunt has joined the national advisory board of the University of Arkansas' Clinton School of Public Service. The school, which is named after former President Clinton, trains students for public service careers. Shelia Foster Anthony of Hendersonville, a former assistant U.S. attorney general and a former member of the Federal Trade Commission, also has been named to the board.