Q+A: The budget, ethics, newspapering and vacations
Let’s cover a few items in short order, shall we? Good:
Q: Is the budget done yet?
A: Yes, almost. The honorables wrapped up their work today. The bill is headed off to Gov. Mike Easley for his signature or veto.
Q: Are reporters lobbyists?
A: Oddly enough, no. Why did this come up?
Well, the House is debating new rules for lobbyists. Rep. Nelson Cole, a Rockingham County Democrat, noted that publishers and the press association and the like frequently come down and lobby for things like open meetings and public records and what not.
Well, what about reporters asking about open records and the like, he asked. Are they lobbyists? Would we have to register as such?
“Inquiries from reporters are not lobbying,” said Rep. Joe Hackney, one of the lobbying bills chief sponsors.
Q: Hey, I love watching the legislature and can’t bear to be away when the honorables are meeting. When can I go on vacation?
A: Depends on how optimistic you are. The chief honorables say they’re aiming to get out of Cap City for the year by a week from tomorrow. A few will quietly say they might miss that goal and need an extra week. Even so, you’re probably safe heading out of town in August or even the last week or so of July.