June 2, 2002 - In the News...

State Labor Commissioner Cherie Berry, the only Republican member of the Council of State has volunteered to cut her pay 5 percent next year in response to the State’s budget crisis. Apparently, cutting their own pay was not a top priority for the other Council of State members. Raleigh News and Observer, June 20, 2001

Governor Easley made 16 trips to or from Southport this year in the Department Of Commerce’s Sikorsky 76, a seven-passenger helicopter that costs $2,050 an hour to fly. The helicopter has leather seating, a snack tray and beverage cooler under the seats. Easley often flies to his home on the Cape Fear River on Friday and returns to Raleigh on Monday. The cost is currently over $30,000. The Governor’s office promised to review Easley’s travel at the end of the year to determine if any of the trips qualify for reimbursement.
Raleigh News and Observer, June 12, 2002

Taxpayers have recently paid $50,000 to settle a lawsuit alleging our Commissioner of Agriculture; Meg Scott Phipps illegally selected the ride vendor for the State Fair. She had to repay the state $9,940 she had shortchanged the state for use of a pickup truck. The State Board of Elections has determined that she accepted $100,000 in illegal campaign contributions and has called in the SBI to investigate for possible criminal charges. Meg Scott Phipps has claimed ignorance and innocence. She should know better. She is the daughter of a governor, the granddaughter of another and a lawyer herself. At least three major North Carolina newspapers have called for her resignation.

About 350 teachers from 43 schools across the state missed out on a bonus of up to $1,800 this year because of an error by the DPI. But Approximately 640 teachers from 47 schools were given bonuses in error. State school officials now have to use an extra $650,000 to pay the teachers who missed the bonuses. The state says that teachers who received the bonuses in error will not lose them.
Between $650,000 and $700,000 was given to ineligible teachers, which would not be taken back. An additional $650,000 will have to be used to pay the eligible teachers who had missed out.
Fayetteville News, June 7, 2002