Easley's political consultant to run accountability board

The future of the state's Progress Board likely will be decided during the coming year, after Gov. Mike Easley took steps to more directly exert his influence.

Easley recently named Mac McCorkle, his Durham-based political consultant, as board chairman. He also appointed another long-time political adviser, John Merritt of Wilmington, to the board.

McCorkle said he wants to make the Progress Board less partisan, more professional and more closely tied to the University of North Carolina system, where it could take advantage of the network of researchers.

"This can't be the handiwork or playpen of any person," McCorkle said. "We are very serious about setting up something not connected with Easley or not connected to the Democrats. It has to be bipartisan. It will keep on dying if it continues to have partisan flavor to it."

Easley's move comes after a long period of friction between Easley and the Progress Board, which was created under former Gov. Jim Hunt to improve the accountability of state government by publishing a report card on how the state was progressing in a variety of areas, including public schools and roads. It was part of a national accountability movement known as "benchmarking" that was designed to provide an easy guide for citizens.

But the board has struggled in recent years because of a lack of funding. Easley, who was the board's chairman, never attended a meeting. And when Easley's people became involved, they questioned data that they feared might unfairly reflect poorly on the Easley administration.

"I really don't know what is going on," said Mack Pearsall, an Asheville businessman who, as vice chairman, has been the board's main spokesman. "The Progress Board is operating under a five-year plan adopted by the board. I have no idea what Mac McCorkle or the governor have in mind."

Pearsall said the board has a record of bipartisanship and professionalism.

"I'm taking the interest by the governor as a positive indication of interest in the Progress Board which has not been there before, except in a reactive way," he said.

Big name on Smith's ads

State Sen. Fred Smith of Clayton has begun airing TV commercials in his re-election campaign.

The ads are soft-focused talk about Smith's background in business and politics.

In an indication that his aspirations reach to the governor's mansion, Smith's ads were produced by Rick Reed, a Washington consultant.

Reed, who has worked for Virginia Gov. George Allen, helped to produce the independent Swift Boat ads, which were used to help defeat Sen. John Kerry in the last presidential race.

Wealthy lawmakers

North Carolina has some of the richest members of Congress.

Republican Rep. Robin Hayes of Concord, an heir to the Cannon textile fortune, ranks sixth, with $59.7 million, according to Roll Call, a Capitol Hill newspaper.

Rep. Charles Taylor, a Brevard Republican, is worth $56.1 million.

Sen. Elizabeth Dole, a Salisbury Republican, is worth $13.5 million.