The N.C. Chamber took a step toward more active political involvement last fall when it formed a political action committee. But, it stepped no further.
The PAC had $908.42 on hand at the end of December, according to its campaign-finance report.
Political action committees typically contribute to campaigns in hope of advancing the PACs' positions on issues. They support candidates who agree with them or who the PACs are hoping to persuade to agree with them.
Giving money, however, first requires raising it from members or supporters. The Chamber, which bills itself as "a force for business," was previously known as N.C. Citizens for Business and Industry. The group did not get directly involved in campaigns but has been inching in that direction in recent years.
Forming a PAC was a big step that, according to some members, required a little soul-searching. But after the PAC was formed, it appears to have sat idle.
"We're confident that, over time, we'll be strong participants in this process," said Sherry Melton, the Chamber's vice president for communications.
O'Connor will speak at Elon
Retired U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor will speak at Elon University's law school in Greensboro next week.
O'Connor, who spent 25 years on the high court, will talk to Elon students and faculty Monday afternoon. The event is not public.
Elon officials said they expect O'Connor to discuss North Carolina's system of electing judges and how the state should move to a system of appointing judges to protect judicial independence.
O'Connor dedicated Elon's law school when it opened in 2006.
Consumer watch
U.S. Rep. Brad Miller took issue with President Barack Obama's decision to back away from an independent consumer financial protection agency, writing in Politico, a Capitol Hill newspaper.
Miller, a Raleigh Democrat, helped craft House legislation last year to set up the consumer agency. It was to be an independent, stand-alone agency to give it more heft in protecting consumers. But Senate Republicans and some Senate Democrats balked.
Obama last month agreed to put such an agency inside the Federal Reserve, a move that many consumer advocates say weakens it. The bill remains in the Senate.
"Ten federal agencies now have dribs and drabs of consumer-protection powers, but consumer protection is an afterthought for all 10," Miller wrote. He argues that Congress cannot have it both ways - protection for middle-class families and protection of financial interests.
"Congress," he wrote, "may just need to pick a side."
Liquor concession's worth: Gov. Bev Perdue has ordered an appraisal of the state's alcohol beverage control system, a possible step toward selling or leasing the state's liquor business to a private company. While we're at it, wonder what the Global TransPark would fetch?
Voting records to prove it: According to an analysis by the National Journal, Republican U.S. Sen. Richard Burr is the ninth most conservative member of the U.S. Senate, and Democratic U.S. Rep. Mel Watt is tied for first as the most liberal member of the U.S. House.
Early release: Former Democratic state House Speaker Jim Black is scheduled to get out of federal prison a year early, which would have him free in March 2011. Might we be seeing "Jim Black 2012" campaign signs?
In other news: A North Carolina native has been named the White House social secretary. Nicotine patches will be free for those covered by the State Health Plan. Republican U.S. Rep. Patrick McHenry wants to put former President Ronald Reagan on the $50 bill.
By staff writers Mark Johnson, Benjamin Niolet, Jane Stancill and Washington correspondent Barbara Barrett
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