Lanny Wilson, the fundraiser and developer who was once on the short list to run the state transportation department, has resigned his position on the transportation board.
Wilson, a Wilmington developer, was a key money man for the campaigns of former Gov. Mike Easley and Gov. Bev Perdue. He was unknown to many in North Carolina until he testified in a State Board of Elections hearing that he gave large checks to the Democratic Party that he expected would be in turn given to Easley's campaign.
Such funneling would violate the limits on donations to individual candidates.
"After much consideration and thought, I am stepping down to avoid any further unnecessary distractions that would only serve to impede the progress of your reform efforts with the Board and Department of Transportation," Wilson wrote.
Buzz around the state when Perdue picked her Cabinet was that Wilson was on the short list. Senate leader Marc Basnight advocated for Wilson, saying that Wilson raised money for campaigns because he genuinely cared about North Carolina.
"Lanny has so much to give this state," Basnight said. "He's smart, and he understands the department very well. I believe he could reorganize the department in a fashion that we would get much more out for our money."
Perdue accepted the resignation and thanked Wilson for his service.
Congressmen seek Pelosi's help
Four N.C. Republican members of Congress sent a letter to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi urging her to "protect" the state from provisions in the Democratic health care bill that could force the state to spend billions more on Medicaid.
U.S. Reps. Patrick McHenry of Cherryville, Sue Myrick of Charlotte, Howard Coble of Greensboro and Walter Jones of Farmville wrote that increases in the state's already strained Medicaid rolls would force the legislature to make even greater cuts to current services.
Other states, such as Nebraska, Vermont and Louisiana, will get federal money to cope with the increases, they wrote.
"The state of North Carolina can not endure the weight of a massive new spending requirement," their letter said. "We request that any final healthcare bill not result in unfunded mandates on our state and we further request that all states be treated equitably."
Kissell outpolls possible competitors
U.S. Rep. Larry Kissell has 45 percent job approval, according to a recent poll by Public Policy Polling.
Kissell, a Biscoe Democrat, has double-digit leads over all of his 2010 potential opponents, the poll found. Kissell, who is regarded as a weak fundraiser, has been considered vulnerable by Republicans. Democrats in his district were irked by Kissell's vote against a health care bill.
PPP's poll suggests that Kissell may be in better shape as he begins his run to keep his seat.
PPP surveyed 744 voters from Kissell's district Jan. 9 through Jan. 11, and 45 percent said they approved of his job while 30 percent disapproved.
Kissell leads a generic Republican opponent 53-39 and holds a 54-38 lead over Tim D'Annunzio, a 55-37 advantage over Lou Huddleston, a 53-39 lead over Harold Johnson, and a 55-39 one against Hal Jordan, PPP found.
The GOP candidates are not very well known at this point. D'Annunzio leads the pack with 35 percent name recognition, followed by Johnson at 31percent and Jordan and Huddleston both at 26 percent.
The poll's margin of error was 3.6percentage points.
Rep. Dickson takes Rand's Senate seat
State Rep. Margaret Dickson will assume the Senate seat previously held by Sen.Tony Rand.
On Wednesday a committee in the Fayetteville Senate district chose Dickson, who is serving her fourth term in the House, the Fayetteville Observer reported. Rand left his role as the chamber's Democratic majority leader and rules chairman to run the state parole commission.
Gov. Bev Perdue is expected to make Dickson's selection official.
