Foley Resigns From Elections Board

Paul Foley submitted his resignation to board chairman Josh Howard yesterday after initially insisting we would not step down.

Foley had been  under fire since last week when the AP reported he didn't recuse himself from a state elections agency's investigation into campaign donations by a out-of state sweepstakes executive, who was represented by Foley's firm.

That investigation found no legal wrongdoing by Foley. But the perception of a conflict of interest was strong enough that Gov. Pat McCrory demanded that Foley step down.

Foley is also under scrutiny for working behind the scenes with GOP officials to close the voting site at Appalachian State University.

North Carolina Republican Party Chairman Hasan Harnett will submit three nominees to replace Foley. The Governor will appoint a successor to serve until May 1, 2017

Testimony Continues On Third Day Of NC Election Law Trial

An expert testified that a 2013 election law affects black and Hispanic voters more than whites.

Barry Burden, a professor of political science at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, testified Wednesday at the trial in Winston-Salem that stems from three federal lawsuits filed over provisions of the law.

Among other things, the law reduced the number of early voting days and eliminated same-day voter registration.

The Winston-Salem Journal reports that Burden said that black and Hispanic voters use early voting and same-day registration at higher levels than whites.

He said removing or curtailing those features would disproportionately affect black and Hispanic voters.

Keys Turned Over, But Still No Word On Future Of Yadkin Hospital

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Terrence Boyle heard a motion filed by the county on July 6.  He ordered the company that managed the hospital, CAH Acquisition, to vacate and turn over the keys to the county by 5:00 p.m. Wednesday.

CAH Acquisition had a lease to run Yadkin Hospital through July, but abruptly shut it down in May.

County officials say they're in negotiations to find a new provider.

Civil Rights Museum Turns Over Audit As Required For Loan

Greensboro city auditors are reviewing financial details from the International Civil Rights Center & Museum to determine the facility's eligibility for the final $250,000 of a forgivable loan from taxpayers.

City spokesman Donnie Turlington tells the News & Record of Greensboro the museum turned over its 2014 audit Tuesday. That was a condition for getting the money.

NC Legislature Approves Bill To End Protest Petitions

A bill eliminating one outlet for North Carolina homeowners to protest local development has passed the General Assembly and is headed to the governor, where it will likely receive final approval.

The House voted 82-28 Wednesday in favor of a bill ending protest petitions, which increase the standard needed for city councils to approve zoning changes. A supermajority is required if enough residents of the surrounding community sign a petition against the proposed changes.

The Senate already passed the bill and Gov. Pat McCrory has indicated he supports the legislation.

 

 

 

 

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