Leader defends 5 percent raises for lottery workers

State Lottery Commission Chairman John McArthur said Thursday that proposed 5 percent raises for lottery employees encourage a better-run lottery.

The state House has proposed limiting the raises that lottery employees receive to that of other state employees. Other state employees would get across-the-board raises of 2.75 percent or $1,100, whichever is greater, under the House proposal.

Lottery employees receive merit-based raises, and the commission voted to allow for an average 5 percent raise.

McArthur said that the lottery was created by the legislature and that lawmakers can do as they wish, but that he would recommend keeping the raises as the lottery proposed.

"Making individual merit salary determinations based on employee performance is a part of trying to increase lottery revenue by trying to manage it as a business," he said.

Burr to be in national light

U.S. Sen. Richard Burr will be co-chairman of the 2008 Republican Platform Committee, giving him some national exposure at the GOP convention in August.

Republican National Committee Chairman Mike Duncan cited Burr's work on such issues as health care, veterans health care and cutting government waste.

Burr's appointment also means there will be a close ally of Republican presidential candidate John McCain helping craft the party's positions. Burr, a Winston-Salem Republican, was an early backer of McCain.

McCrory picks a pro

Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory has picked a veteran Tar Heel political operative to run his gubernatorial campaign.

Richard Hudson is returning from Washington, where he was chief of staff to U.S. Rep. John Carter of Texas. Carter is secretary of the Republican Conference.

Hudson is well known in state GOP circles. Hudson was communications director of the state Republican Party in the late 1990s, before moving on to manage the campaign and serve on the congressional staff of U.S. Rep. Robin Hayes of Concord. Hudson also worked in the 2000 gubernatorial campaign of Richard Vinroot.

The McCrory campaign has hired Neal Harrington as finance director. Harrington was formerly the finance director for U.S. Rep. Sue Myrick of Charlotte.

Lee speaks up for schools

Howard Lee, chairman of the state Board of Education, fired back Thursday at critics of the state's public schools.

During a board meeting, Lee said he's tired of hearing people trash the public schools. He said public schools don't get enough credit for the good things that are happening.

"I've told our legislators, stop being critical and start being more supportive of the job we need to do," Lee said.

Lee recalled a presentation at last month's board meeting that highlighted some of the state's best high school students. He pointed to how a student at the much-maligned Hillside High School in Durham has been accepted into Harvard University.

"We're doing something right," Lee said. "If we don't pat ourselves on the back and toot our own horn, no one else will."

Dole to dunk a doughnut

U.S. Sen. Elizabeth Dole may take political tips from Mike Huckabee, but she's not following his diet advice.

According to a release from the N.C. Republican Party, Dole will hold events Saturday at the state GOP convention in Greensboro, beginning with an 8 a.m. meet-and-greet with Huckabee, a former Arkansas governor and presidential candidate.

"Senator Dole's day begins at 8 a.m. with a coffee-and-doughnut breakfast in her hospitality suite located in the Biltmore Room," the release said.

Huckabee, you might recall, is the author of the diet-tips book "Quit Digging Your Grave With a Knife and Fork."

In Dole's defense, no one -- with the possible exception of Martha Stewart -- eats a doughnut with a knife and fork.

Former rival backs Donnan

Mary Fant Donnan has picked up another endorsement from a former opponent in the Democratic primary for state labor commissioner.

Ty Richardson announced Thursday that he supports Donnan over former Labor Commissioner John Brooks in the June 24 runoff.

Richardson joined former candidate Robin Anderson, who endorsed Donnan earlier in the week.