Etheridge raises flag over farmworker visas

North Carolina's congressional delegation is asking the U.S. Department of Labor to listen to farmers before making changes to the visas used by seasonal farmworkers.

Rep. Bob Etheridge, a Lillington Democrat, sent a letter co-signed by the state's other members of Congress to Labor Secretary Hilda Solis this week asking her and her agency to consider the concerns of farm families and agricultural groups about any possible changes to the H-2A visa program.

Those visas are for foreign laborers who work on farms for less than a year and are required to return to their home country. The Labor Department is considering possible changes in wage rates, as well as in transportation and contract requirements, and the agency is seeking public comments on the topic.

Etheridge warned that some changes being considered could make thevisa system more costly and burdensome to farmers and, ultimately, raise the grocery bills for consumers.

Influence at Wildlife commission

A conservation group is asking Gov. Bev Perdue to investigate whether political campaign contributions and influence played a part in how members of the N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission got their seats.

The N.C. Wildlife Federation said testimony during the State Board of Elections hearing into former Gov. Mike Easley's campaign finances suggested that former commission member Gary Allen might have offered big donations to the N.C. Democratic Party in exchange for keeping his seat on the commission, which regulates hunting and fishing.

"If these allegations prove true," said Tim Gestwicki, executive director of the federation, "we call upon Governor Perdue to immediately demand the resignations of any individuals who were appointed under such inappropriate circumstances. She should then appoint duly qualified, representative citizens to serve out any replaced terms."

Committee clears Shuler

The House Ethics Committee on Thursday cleared U.S. Rep. Heath Shuler of any wrongdoing for his role in a land deal.

Shuler, a Waynesville Democrat, has been dealing with questions about whether he used his office improperly to influence the Tennessee Valley Authority over a land swap.

The ethics committee cleared Shuler and was the third investigative body to find no wrongdoing, Shuler's office notes. In a statement, Shuler said he was ready to move on with his job of representing constituents.

Steinem coming to Triangle

Gloria Steinem will be in the Triangle this week at events sponsored by NARAL Pro-Choice North Carolina.

Steinem will speak at 1p.m. Saturday at the Unitarian Universalist Fellowship of Raleigh. Ticketprices range from $20 to $50. She will also attend a private $250 per person reception in Chapel Hill.

Steinem is best known as the co-founder of Ms. magazine, the creator of Bring Your Daughter to Work Day and the author of numerous books, including "Outrageous Acts."

Rand out: State Sen. Tony Rand is quitting the Senate. The news that the chamber's chief Democratic enforcer and most formidable political gamesman is leaving likely thrilled liberal Democrats and conservatives alike. Rand is one of the great characters in state politics, and the legislature just got a little more boring.

How many is that? Gov. Bev Perdue's communications director David Kochman has resigned as her approval numbers remain in the sub-basement. From her days as lieutenant governor, Perdue has had four communications directors in six years, making the job a little bit like being the drummer for Spinal Tap. With luck, Perdue's approval rating will go above 11.

Rep. Hyperbole: U.S. Rep. Virginia Foxx said the Democrats' health reform proposals are more dangerous than terrorists. Republicans may have more to fear from Foxx's own mouth than anything Democrats have to say.

In other news: President Barack Obama has nominated two North Carolina judges to the 4th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, which has had only six Tar Heels since 1801. ... With the election of a new mayor in Charlotte, Pat McCrory will be out of elected office, but his loss to Perdue is apparently still gnawing at him, so don't expect McCrory to be out of politics. ... N&O political cartoonist Dwane Powell has retired after 35 years of skewering politicians.

By staff writers Mark Johnson, Benjamin Niolet and Rob Christensen

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