RALEIGH -- Before adjourning early Saturday morning, the legislature passed a package of ethics and good-government reforms that:
Raises the penalty for exceeding campaign contribution limits.
Requires more political appointees to disclose fundraising activities.
Expands the personnel information about state and local employees that is available to the public.
"What's extraordinary about this particular [legislation] is it does more for transparency and open government than any changes we've made since I've been here in the General Assembly," said Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat in her fourth term.
State government scandals prompted some of the changes. A recent case of illegal campaign donations led lawmakers to increase the penalty from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Other provisions addressed long-running battles over access to government records. Starting Oct. 1, those who win public records lawsuits against government agencies have a better chance of being reimbursed for their legal bills.
A variety of personnel records that have been withheld for at least 35 years will be made available. They include salary and employment histories, and the release of dismissal letters for public employees.
Only one lawmaker voted against the legislation. Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, a Rockingham County Republican, said he was disappointed that the release of documents explaining disciplinary actions was not extended to include demotions and suspensions.
Berger was the legislature's most vocal champion for transparency in personnel matters, and he filed a wide-ranging bill that helped move the issue forward.
"The bill as a whole, I think you can vote for this and have nothing to be ashamed or embarrassed about, or nothing to be worried about," Berger said. "But again, I'm concerned about the personnel disclosure issues and don't feel that the bill goes far enough."
The personnel provisions follow a recent News & Observer series that found North Carolina's personnel law to be among the most secretive in the nation. The new provisions move North Carolina more toward the middle of the pack, but still not as open as Ohio, Florida and several other states that make most personnel records public.
Others were also not happy with the legislation. Jane Pinsky, executive director of the N.C. Coalition of Lobbying and Governmental Reform, said lawmakers should not have backed away from a House provision that would limit the amount of campaign money those with state contracts could give.
The Senate fended off the provision, contending that it created an unfair playing field because it would not put the same contribution limits on companies looking to win contracts.
"The fact that they couldn't come up with something to deal with pay to play is a disappointment," Pinsky said.
The House and Senate agreed to study contractor giving and public financing for the state treasurer and other Council of State races.
The bill now goes to Gov. Bev Perdue.
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