Gov. Bev Perdue wants to take a look at privatizing parts of the state's information technology operations.
In a July 21 memo to Cabinet secretaries and executive branch agency heads, Perdue wrote that state spending on information technology accounted for more than $1.1 billion in fiscal 2009, and agencies under Perdue's control accounted for more than half that total.
By August, Perdue's memo says, the state will be ready to ask a consultant to study the IT operations and recommend how to save money and run things more efficiently. The idea was proposed by Perdue's budget reform commission.
"The goal is to move aggressively toward an improved IT infrastructure that will lower costs, reduce complexity and redundancy, improve the utilization of resources and increase security," Perdue wrote.
About 600 IT workers are on the state payroll.
Chrissy Pearson, a spokeswoman for Perdue, said it's important to remember that no decisions have been made.
"I would caution anyone from thinking this is a done deal. This is a request to get information on how this might work," she said. "Jobs remain on the top of the governor's list. While she is trying to trim the fat, she's not specifically looking to lose state employees for the sake of losing state employees."
Money from Mitt
Former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney has contributed $5,000 to the campaign of Republican Sen. Richard Burr.
Romney, a presidential candidate in 2008 who is likely to run again in 2012, also had his political committee give money to GOP House members Howard Coble of Greensboro and Virginia Foxx of Banner Elk. The committee also gave to candidates Harold Johnson, who is running in the 8th District against Rep. Larry Kissell, and Jeff Miller, who is running in the 11th District against Rep. Heath Shuler.
Romney gave each of the House candidates $2,500.
In the 2008 Republican presidential primary, Burr supported Arizona Sen. John McCain.
Goforth gives up seat
State Rep. Bruce Goforth, who lost his primary challenge, has decided to quit rather than finish his term.
Goforth, a Buncombe County Democrat, says he wants to focus on family and his construction business rather than keep his seat for the remaining six months of his term, the Asheville Citizen-Times reported.
House Speaker Joe Hackney praised Goforth's years of service.
"He worked as hard as anyone in the House of Representatives to create jobs for our citizens and to make North Carolina a friendly place for small businesses," Hackney said in a statement. "I appreciate that he is ready to move on to new challenges, and I wish him well as he continues to make North Carolina a better place to live."
Goforth's early exit accomplishes two things. It allows Buncombe County Democrats to lend an air of incumbency to Patsy Keever, the Democrat who defeated Goforth in the primary and who is expected to be appointed to the seat. Keever faces Republican Mark Crawford in November.
The resignation also starts the clock on the six-month waiting period required before a former lawmaker could become a lobbyist, should Goforth choose to pursue that line of work.
'Frasier' actor to appear
Kelsey Grammer, the five-time Emmy award winner, is scheduled to be the star attraction at a fundraiser next week for Ilario Pantano, the Republican who is challenging Democratic Rep. Mike McIntyre.
Grammer is best known for playing the psychiatrist Dr. Frasier Crane in the sitcom "Cheers" and later starred in the spinoff "Frasier."
Grammer is a Republican who campaigned for Sen. John McCain in 2008 and has said he may run for Congress one day.
Grammer will appear at a private fundraiser Monday at the Lumberton home of Linda and Don Metzger.
By staff writers Rob Christensen and Benjamin Niolet
