News-Record.com

There was news just breaking out all over today. If it wasn't the reports from the Program Evaluation Folks it was the governor-to-be announcing staff. Here are some highlights:

• * According to a release from the Legislative Black Caucus, they've re-appointed Greensboro Rep. Alma Adams as head of the group. Read the release here.

  I haven't had time to call her, so I don't know what that says about prospects for Adams serving in Governor-elect Perdue's cabinet.

• * North Carolina needs more money for roads, to the tune of $1 billion a year for the next decade, according to a blue ribbon transportation panel.

• * So if you need $1 billion a year for roads, I guess it's a bad thing we might be broke. From a news release issued by Gov. Mike Easley's office:

  Gov. Mike Easley today asked all state agencies to develop 3, 5 and 7 percent options to reduce state spending in an effort to deal with the slowdown in the national economy and its impact on North Carolina.

  "The nation lost more than 530,000 jobs in November and that has to mean the unemployment rate in North Carolina will increase significantly," said Easley. "We are not immune from the national economy and we have to continue adjusting the budget as we have done since early this summer."

  Click here for the memo.

• * In the mean time, Governor-elect Bev Perdue has appointed the folks who will be responsible for wringing what little money there is out of the General Assembly. From a news release issued by her office:

  Governor-elect Bev Perdue today announced that she is appointing Andy Willis as her administration’s Senior Advisor for Governmental Affairs and Courtney Crowder as Legislative Director.

  "Andy and Courtney will bring to our team a wealth of experience and proven ability to get things done," said Perdue. "They'll play key roles in making our vision to get North Carolina back on track a reality."

  Willis is currently Vice President for Government Relations for the 17-campus University of North Carolina system, and from 2003 to 2006 served as Assistant to the Chancellor for External Affairs for North Carolina State University. From 1996 until 2003, he served as the Senior Budget Policy and Fiscal Analyst for the Fiscal Research Division of the North Carolina General Assembly. He holds a Masters degree in Public Administration from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from North Carolina State University.

  Crowder currently works in the Government Relations Group at Capstrat, Incorporated and previously served as Legislative Liaison & Special Assistant to the Commissioner at the North Carolina Department of Insurance. He has also worked as a District Representative for Congressman Bob Etheridge. Crowder holds a Masters degree from Duke University and Bachelor of Arts degrees from North Carolina Central University in both English Literature and French.

  A list of CapStrat clients is here.

• * Sen. Richard Burr introduced a new book today, titled, Kids' Passport to Your National Parks Companion. From the news release:

  "This passport offers a hands-on gateway to many of America's most beautiful natural treasures, and I'm sure our children will have a lot of fun filling in the blank pages,” Burr said. "I hope this idea will excite a whole generation of young Americans about the beauty and history of our nation. Too often today, America's youth find their entertainment on television and computers, and hopefully this passport book will help kids realize all the fun there is to be had outdoors."

  Anyone know if the book has a chapter on packing heat while enjoying all those natural treasures?

Okay, that's it. I have to finish committing journalism for tomorrow's paper now.