Stam sees a chance for eminent domain bill

The departure of state Sen. Tony Rand has a lot of people wondering how the Senate will operate without the powerful master of rules, legislative maneuvers and hardball politics.

It even has state Rep. Paul Stam wondering whether he'll finally get a favorite bill passed in the Senate. Stam, an Apex Republican and the chamber's minority leader, told Dome the other day that this could be the year that he gets a hearing in the Senate on a proposed constitutional amendment that would limit the government's use of eminent domain.

Stam just happened to have a copy of the bill with him, leading Dome to wonder whether he carries it wherever he goes. The bill, which would prohibit the use of eminent domain if land would then be sold for economic development, didn't clear the House this year. But Stam said the Senate, and particularly Rand, have been the major obstacle in past years.

Dome asked whether Rand was the impediment or whether Rand was carrying out the wishes of the Democratic majority.

"That's what we'll find out," Stam said.

Meanwhile, an analysis of the proposed amendment by an assistant professor of public law and government at the UNC School of Government found that the amendment wouldn't change much.

Olive branch and munchies

State Rep. Hugh Holliman didn't have to resort to National Guard troops to defuse a protest at a recent fundraiser.

Holliman's event at a Raleigh restaurant was to come under withering protest from members of the State Employees Association of N.C. who are unhappy with Holliman's support for financial fixes to the State Health Plan that shift some costs to employees.

Four or five protesters actually showed up outside Caffe Luna on the cold and rainy Friday night, said Holliman, a Lexington Democrat. Holliman sent them food.

"We put a tray together and sent it out," he said.

Perdue on green energy

Gov. Bev Perdue told the first meeting of the Energy Policy Council on Wednesday that she wanted her advisers to come up with a plan to make the state more energy efficient and environmentally friendly by April, in time for the short session of the legislature.

The governor said she wanted the council to look at what taxes should be changed, whether utility regulations should be altered and whether the work force is being properly trained for new green jobs.

"I am urging you all to make some decisions very quickly on how we can push North Carolina into a national leadership position in green around the green economy," Perdue told a meeting held on the Centennial Campus at N.C. State University.

The council is headed by Tim Toben of Chapel Hill, developer of Greenbridge Development. The panel includes executives from Duke Energy, Piedmont Natural Gas, the Environmental Defense Fund, a biofuels company, a solar fuels company, legislators and others.

Going chilly: Former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin didn't appreciate having to share a campaign bus with U.S. Sen. Richard Burr when she was stumping the state. Palin is scheduled to appear at Fort Bragg next week to promote her book, which could make for an awkward moment if Burr shows up to get his copy signed.

Political prenup: John Edwards offered to quit his presidential campaign and endorse Barack Obama in exchange for a guaranteed spot on the ticket. Hillary Clinton got the same offer. This reminds us of a time when Edwards' political value was more than a cheap joke, such as this one.

Lightweight governor: At a women's health conference, Gov. Bev Perdue shared stories about her days as a lawmaker when she would scarf a whole bag of Doritos. On a stage in front of a crowd, Perdue challenged her secretary of transportation, Gene Conti, to slim down. Woe to any Perdue Cabinet members who still smoke.

By staff writers Benjamin Niolet and Rob Christensen

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