NC Open Government

From WRAL.com (2/24/11): The North Carolina Court of Appeals heard arguments Thursday about a ticket policy established last year by the Wake County Board of Education.

From ABC11 News (2/24/11): Supporters of the old Wake County diversity policy took the school board back to court Wednesday in connection with the board's decision to end its socio-economic diversity policy.

From Eastern Wake News (2/23/11): Legislators are considering a bill that would place a Constitutional amendment on the ballot, perhaps as soon as 2012.

From the Outer Bank Sentinel (2/23/11): In response to a request from the Outer Banks Sentinel, the Town of Nags Head has provided redacted minutes from a closed session meeting held on Feb. 2. The closed session was held at the end of a public hearing on a request by Andy and Laura Deel for a Conditional Use Permit for a three-house cluster project in Nags Head Woods.

From the Salisbury Post (2/20/11): All political power is vested in and derived from the people; all government of right originates from the people, is founded upon their will only, and is instituted solely for the good of the whole. ...

From the Greenville Daily Reflector (2/20/11): North Carolina adopted its motto, Esse quam videri, in 1893, which calls on the state "To be, rather than to seem." It may soon have an opportunity to fulfill the aspirations those words encompass as it considers a proposed amendment to the state Constitution that would assure greater access to public records and meetings.

From the Wilmington StarNews (2/19/11): A little sunshine can be cleansing, especially when the light shines directly on government. For attempting to throw the curtains wide open, a handful of Republican lawmakers, including state Sen. Thom Goolsby of Wilmington, deserve a round of applause.

From the Greenville Daily Reflector (2/16/11): House Republicans overseeing caucus fact-finding meetings on issues that may arise in the Legislature this session have the option to open the gatherings to the public, following a flap over a closed meeting last week on video poker.

From the Raleigh News & Observer (2/16/11): Republicans in the state House came under continued criticism Tuesday over their use of members-only committees to hear from special interest groups in secret.

From the Greenville Daily Reflector (2/15/11): Just before the start of the legislative session, Barry Smith, the reporter and columnist for Freedom Newspapers, and I spoke to a group of the incoming freshmen legislators.