1 00:00:02,635 --> 00:00:06,773 >> This is NC Spin, an unrehearsed discussion 2 00:00:06,873 --> 00:00:09,409 on issues of interest to North Carolinians. 3 00:00:09,509 --> 00:00:11,845 Now here is your moderator Tom Campbell. 4 00:00:14,514 --> 00:00:17,017 >> Thank you for watching This week's NC Spin. 5 00:00:17,117 --> 00:00:20,286 Courtroom controversies are front and center this week 6 00:00:20,387 --> 00:00:23,356 as we began by discussing a rerun of sorts. 7 00:00:23,456 --> 00:00:26,459 The legislature passed the bill. The governor vetoed it. 8 00:00:26,559 --> 00:00:30,263 Lawmakers overrode the veto. Then comes the court case 9 00:00:30,363 --> 00:00:32,966 this time over constitutional amendments. 10 00:00:33,066 --> 00:00:36,403 We'll also discuss a 473 million dollar jury 11 00:00:36,503 --> 00:00:40,006 award to hog farm neighbors against Smithfield Foods. 12 00:00:40,106 --> 00:00:42,709 And it is time we want to ask why school boards 13 00:00:42,809 --> 00:00:45,745 are going to court over seven hundred thirty million dollars 14 00:00:45,845 --> 00:00:47,380 in unpaid fines. 15 00:00:47,480 --> 00:00:49,616 But of course as always we'll ask the panel 16 00:00:49,716 --> 00:00:51,684 to tell us something we don't know. 17 00:00:51,785 --> 00:00:53,420 So let's introduce this week's panel 18 00:00:53,520 --> 00:00:56,389 include former Lieutenant Governor Dennis Wicker. 19 00:00:57,290 --> 00:00:59,259 John Hood syndicated columnist and author, 20 00:00:59,359 --> 00:01:03,129 Chris Fitzsimon senior political analyst. 21 00:01:03,229 --> 00:01:07,133 And Patrick Sebastian campaign and communications consultant. 22 00:01:07,233 --> 00:01:09,335 >> We'll begin our uninterrupted debate 23 00:01:09,436 --> 00:01:12,405 after these brief messages by our underwriters. 24 00:01:13,239 --> 00:01:15,508 >> In rural North Carolina, vibrant Main Streets 25 00:01:15,608 --> 00:01:18,144 depend on a thriving agricultural economy. 26 00:01:18,244 --> 00:01:20,547 Research at NC State improves the products 27 00:01:20,647 --> 00:01:22,348 our farmers raise and grow. 28 00:01:22,449 --> 00:01:25,985 NC State Extension brings that research from labs to fields 29 00:01:26,086 --> 00:01:27,821 in all 100 counties 30 00:01:27,921 --> 00:01:30,490 which means growth for rural in North Carolina. 31 00:01:30,590 --> 00:01:34,127 At NC State, what we think and do helps grow local economies. 32 00:01:34,227 --> 00:01:37,363 >> Discover how NC State and extension work for you. 33 00:01:37,464 --> 00:01:41,468 Visit: 34 00:01:43,670 --> 00:01:45,638 >> Underwriting support provided in part 35 00:01:45,738 --> 00:01:48,942 by the more than 65,000 members of the North Carolina 36 00:01:49,042 --> 00:01:51,811 Retired Governmental Employees Association 37 00:01:52,812 --> 00:01:55,081 >> Today's tools make your real DIY'er 38 00:01:55,181 --> 00:01:56,916 and as a member of an electric cooperative 39 00:01:57,016 --> 00:02:00,153 you have lots of valuable tools to help you do it yourself 40 00:02:00,253 --> 00:02:02,822 and controlling your home energy use and budget 41 00:02:02,922 --> 00:02:05,225 leaving you free to be dad. 42 00:02:07,627 --> 00:02:09,262 >> Before we get started on this show 43 00:02:09,362 --> 00:02:11,264 I want to thank our good friend Brad Crone 44 00:02:11,364 --> 00:02:13,900 for sitting in for me the last couple of weeks 45 00:02:14,000 --> 00:02:15,702 a number of viewers wrote saying 46 00:02:16,202 --> 00:02:17,437 why don't you just move out of the way 47 00:02:17,537 --> 00:02:21,074 and let Brad do this permanently from now on. 48 00:02:21,174 --> 00:02:25,011 We're under discussion about that, until such time 49 00:02:25,111 --> 00:02:27,480 as that happens however I'll try to muddle through. 50 00:02:27,580 --> 00:02:29,115 So let's get started. 51 00:02:29,215 --> 00:02:32,318 You almost need a scorecard to figure out all the lawsuits 52 00:02:32,418 --> 00:02:34,387 over the six constitutional amendments 53 00:02:34,487 --> 00:02:37,357 our legislature wants to put on the ballot in November. 54 00:02:37,457 --> 00:02:39,325 Governor Cooper is one of the defendants 55 00:02:39,425 --> 00:02:41,294 suing two plaintiffs suing 56 00:02:41,394 --> 00:02:44,430 to prevent them from going to a vote saying two of them 57 00:02:44,531 --> 00:02:47,500 violate the separation of powers in our state 58 00:02:47,600 --> 00:02:50,036 and the NAACP and an environmental group 59 00:02:50,136 --> 00:02:52,906 are also getting into the act trying to stop the vote. 60 00:02:53,006 --> 00:02:56,276 Let's ask our panel to try to unravel this Dennis Wicker 61 00:02:57,544 --> 00:02:59,345 in order to provide full disclosure 62 00:02:59,445 --> 00:03:03,816 I need to say that your law firm is representing the legislature 63 00:03:03,917 --> 00:03:05,985 in several of these lawsuits 64 00:03:06,085 --> 00:03:08,988 even though you personally are not involved in them. 65 00:03:09,088 --> 00:03:11,791 Now three former governors have sounded off 66 00:03:11,891 --> 00:03:13,860 on the separation of powers issue 67 00:03:13,960 --> 00:03:15,662 saying the legislature is overreaching 68 00:03:15,762 --> 00:03:19,199 its constitutional authority a Superior Court judge 69 00:03:19,299 --> 00:03:22,969 refused to give a TRO or temporary restraining order 70 00:03:23,069 --> 00:03:25,538 saying a three judge panel should rule on it. 71 00:03:25,638 --> 00:03:28,074 How big a blow is this to Governor Cooper's case. 72 00:03:28,808 --> 00:03:31,811 >> Well first of all Tom it is awfully confusing 73 00:03:31,911 --> 00:03:33,146 to the viewers out there. 74 00:03:33,246 --> 00:03:36,816 I mean it is a lawsuit for the week 75 00:03:37,584 --> 00:03:39,752 but I don't think this is a major blow 76 00:03:39,852 --> 00:03:43,723 to the to the governor on this last ruling. 77 00:03:44,390 --> 00:03:47,760 Procedurally the judge made a correct ruling this 78 00:03:47,860 --> 00:03:53,666 has to go to a three panel judge trial judges under the law 79 00:03:53,766 --> 00:03:56,236 and he appointed those judges one's a Democrat 80 00:03:56,336 --> 00:03:58,471 one's a Republican and one's an independent. 81 00:03:58,571 --> 00:03:59,672 They will convene. 82 00:03:59,772 --> 00:04:02,442 I believe they scheduled that for this coming Friday 83 00:04:02,976 --> 00:04:05,745 and they will convene and they will determine the merits 84 00:04:05,845 --> 00:04:07,614 of the temporary restraining order. 85 00:04:08,281 --> 00:04:10,416 Meanwhile the State Board of Elections 86 00:04:10,516 --> 00:04:14,420 has put off printing the ballots and that's the real problem here 87 00:04:14,520 --> 00:04:16,556 because time is not on the governor's post 88 00:04:16,656 --> 00:04:18,625 >> Supposed to have been on August 8th. 89 00:04:18,725 --> 00:04:20,627 >> Now they've said maybe next week 90 00:04:20,727 --> 00:04:23,162 and then I think what's going 91 00:04:23,263 --> 00:04:25,398 on is they're trying to time it with the ruling of the judges. 92 00:04:25,498 --> 00:04:28,968 Now they hear this case next Friday apparently. 93 00:04:29,535 --> 00:04:31,804 But that doesn't mean they rule on it that day. 94 00:04:31,904 --> 00:04:33,206 So we have to worry about that. 95 00:04:33,306 --> 00:04:37,143 >> Patrick does it help or hurt that the NAACP 96 00:04:37,243 --> 00:04:40,947 and this environmental group joined into this lawsuit 97 00:04:41,047 --> 00:04:42,482 or is it just make it more confusing. 98 00:04:42,582 --> 00:04:43,716 >> It does make it more confusing. 99 00:04:43,816 --> 00:04:46,653 I got to tell you I think especially the lawsuit 100 00:04:47,620 --> 00:04:49,789 with as far as the governor's powers is going to be 101 00:04:49,889 --> 00:04:52,625 maybe the toughest ballot initiative to pass this year. 102 00:04:53,259 --> 00:04:54,761 You have like you mentioned before you have 103 00:04:54,861 --> 00:04:56,396 Republican governors come out against it. 104 00:04:56,496 --> 00:04:58,998 You have a lot of people say you know we elected a governor 105 00:04:59,098 --> 00:05:01,968 to be our statewide governor it's hard to be elected governor 106 00:05:02,068 --> 00:05:05,104 and if you want to if you want to enforce the law 107 00:05:05,204 --> 00:05:07,573 you should run for governor not the legislature. 108 00:05:07,674 --> 00:05:08,841 I can be a hard thing to pass. 109 00:05:08,941 --> 00:05:10,610 Perhaps that might be the closest ballot initiative 110 00:05:10,710 --> 00:05:11,811 on the whole thing. 111 00:05:11,911 --> 00:05:15,214 >> Important point, because that's and the governors 112 00:05:15,315 --> 00:05:17,884 and I personally share their concerns about the separation 113 00:05:17,984 --> 00:05:20,286 of powers and implications of this amendment. 114 00:05:20,386 --> 00:05:22,121 But remember what we have before us right now 115 00:05:22,221 --> 00:05:24,157 is not a substantive debate 116 00:05:24,257 --> 00:05:26,292 about whether this amendment is good. 117 00:05:26,392 --> 00:05:28,995 What what Governor Cooper is trying to do 118 00:05:29,095 --> 00:05:32,265 is to get the court to throw out all that amendment out 119 00:05:32,365 --> 00:05:34,801 and another amendment out on judicial selection 120 00:05:34,901 --> 00:05:36,402 for being ambiguous. 121 00:05:36,502 --> 00:05:38,671 There's no precedent for the Supreme Court to do that. 122 00:05:38,771 --> 00:05:42,342 The Constitution clearly gives the authority to the legislature 123 00:05:42,442 --> 00:05:43,643 and ultimately to the people 124 00:05:43,743 --> 00:05:46,512 when it comes to making amendments to the Constitution. 125 00:05:46,612 --> 00:05:50,783 >> So even though when we get to actually arguing the merits 126 00:05:50,883 --> 00:05:53,152 of the amendment I think I might agree with Governor Cooper 127 00:05:53,252 --> 00:05:54,887 I don't think his lawsuit makes sense 128 00:05:54,987 --> 00:05:57,457 >> Chris that the legislature says 129 00:05:58,891 --> 00:06:00,526 since there's no specific wording on this 130 00:06:00,626 --> 00:06:03,629 we can write the wording for these amendments on the ballot. 131 00:06:03,730 --> 00:06:05,798 the way we want to. 132 00:06:05,898 --> 00:06:07,233 >> We'll see if the judges agree with that. 133 00:06:07,333 --> 00:06:10,203 I think it's probably a tough sell to convince the judges 134 00:06:10,303 --> 00:06:12,638 that the legislature doesn't have the authority 135 00:06:12,739 --> 00:06:13,940 to write the ballot 136 00:06:14,040 --> 00:06:16,142 how they want to that a couple other fascinating things though. 137 00:06:16,242 --> 00:06:17,643 One is we are in a time crunch now 138 00:06:17,744 --> 00:06:19,979 because of the election which points to the whole problem 139 00:06:20,079 --> 00:06:21,614 why would you have a special session 140 00:06:21,714 --> 00:06:23,082 to put six amendments on the ballot 141 00:06:23,182 --> 00:06:25,351 without thoughtful consideration public input. 142 00:06:25,451 --> 00:06:27,854 Do this in the regular session. So there will be plenty of time. 143 00:06:27,954 --> 00:06:30,022 >> I though they did it during the short session. 144 00:06:30,123 --> 00:06:32,225 They didn't do the amendments during the special -- 145 00:06:32,325 --> 00:06:34,460 >> They did at the end of the short session the last week. 146 00:06:34,560 --> 00:06:36,362 I mean this is not a special day the end of the short session 147 00:06:36,462 --> 00:06:37,363 this is they've been contemplating this 148 00:06:37,463 --> 00:06:38,264 for a long time. 149 00:06:38,364 --> 00:06:39,399 >> They've been talking about it. 150 00:06:39,499 --> 00:06:40,700 >> They've been talking about this a long time. 151 00:06:40,800 --> 00:06:42,602 And the other thing I think we're not talking specifically 152 00:06:42,702 --> 00:06:43,903 about the voter ID amendment now 153 00:06:44,003 --> 00:06:46,105 but the other issue I think is that the public really 154 00:06:46,205 --> 00:06:47,874 doesn't know this is one of the first times 155 00:06:47,974 --> 00:06:49,275 we've had an amendment with no language. 156 00:06:49,375 --> 00:06:52,311 We don't really know what we're voting on which I think again 157 00:06:52,412 --> 00:06:53,679 might not be a legal question 158 00:06:53,780 --> 00:06:55,448 but it's a big substantive issue. 159 00:06:56,149 --> 00:06:57,817 >> Let's get into some specifics here 160 00:06:57,917 --> 00:07:00,353 because again the governor says 161 00:07:00,453 --> 00:07:03,556 that these amendments the two of them anyway are misleading. 162 00:07:04,857 --> 00:07:07,226 Will if you can let's put up still one. It says: 163 00:07:28,848 --> 00:07:31,284 Patrick do you see where this could be sort of misleading 164 00:07:31,384 --> 00:07:32,518 to a certain extent 165 00:07:32,618 --> 00:07:34,253 because essentially what's happening here 166 00:07:34,353 --> 00:07:37,690 is this is going to transfer power from the governor 167 00:07:37,790 --> 00:07:41,861 making the appointments over to a commission which is formed 168 00:07:43,629 --> 00:07:46,032 which will consider applique names 169 00:07:46,132 --> 00:07:48,034 of potential jurists forward 170 00:07:48,134 --> 00:07:51,070 two to the governor who has to appoint assembly. 171 00:07:51,170 --> 00:07:53,005 >> I mean the general assembly - >> The General Assembly 172 00:07:53,105 --> 00:07:54,874 gives the governor two choices, 173 00:07:54,974 --> 00:07:56,476 and he has to choose one of them. 174 00:07:56,576 --> 00:07:58,611 >> I didn't say that right. I'm just to get it right. 175 00:07:58,711 --> 00:08:00,580 >> Really, by definition this is political. 176 00:08:00,680 --> 00:08:02,548 I mean there's really no way around it. 177 00:08:02,648 --> 00:08:04,917 It's going to be political whether the legislature appoints 178 00:08:05,017 --> 00:08:07,420 a judge or or the governor appoints a judge. 179 00:08:07,520 --> 00:08:10,423 Again you know this is this is really unprecedented 180 00:08:10,523 --> 00:08:12,391 unprecedented territory I know in South Carolina. 181 00:08:12,492 --> 00:08:14,160 The legislature appoints all the judges. 182 00:08:14,260 --> 00:08:15,728 It's kind of crazy how much power 183 00:08:15,828 --> 00:08:17,897 they have down there in North Carolina. 184 00:08:18,965 --> 00:08:20,766 Again I don't know people are going to go for it 185 00:08:20,867 --> 00:08:22,001 but those kind of ballot 186 00:08:22,101 --> 00:08:24,370 and those kinds of ballot questions who's going to know 187 00:08:24,470 --> 00:08:26,439 unless there's a real there's got to be some real money -- 188 00:08:26,539 --> 00:08:29,375 >> Has there been that much of a problem with 189 00:08:29,475 --> 00:08:30,643 the governor making these appointments Dennis? 190 00:08:30,743 --> 00:08:31,944 >> I don't think so. 191 00:08:32,044 --> 00:08:35,882 Our judiciary has been pretty well corrupt for a few years 192 00:08:35,982 --> 00:08:38,217 and there has been no problems 193 00:08:38,317 --> 00:08:40,753 that I think with the governor appointing judges. 194 00:08:41,320 --> 00:08:46,325 I do think I do think it will make lawyers think a lot 195 00:08:46,425 --> 00:08:48,394 about running for the legislature now. 196 00:08:48,494 --> 00:08:50,429 >> So they will be making these appointments 197 00:08:50,530 --> 00:08:51,931 and having a big say in it. 198 00:08:52,031 --> 00:08:56,002 But we've had really across for a solid good judiciary 199 00:08:56,102 --> 00:08:58,738 is not an option I think is the problem it's partisanship. 200 00:08:58,838 --> 00:09:00,072 >> This is like this. 201 00:09:00,172 --> 00:09:02,008 This amendment I think is the most egregiously word 202 00:09:02,108 --> 00:09:03,743 it's like a partisan Madlib game. 203 00:09:03,843 --> 00:09:06,112 They put all these words in their merit based professional. 204 00:09:06,212 --> 00:09:07,947 Well what it really means is they don't want the governor 205 00:09:08,047 --> 00:09:09,181 whoever he or she 206 00:09:09,282 --> 00:09:11,617 is to have as much power appointing judges or men 207 00:09:11,717 --> 00:09:13,886 that really ought to say take power away from the governor 208 00:09:13,986 --> 00:09:16,756 put it in the legislature's hands to appoint judges as John 209 00:09:16,856 --> 00:09:18,958 one of the things that they're most concerned about here 210 00:09:19,058 --> 00:09:20,826 is the way this bill was worded. 211 00:09:21,627 --> 00:09:24,297 >> They're concerned that perhaps in this recommendation 212 00:09:24,397 --> 00:09:26,933 this judicial selection recommendation 213 00:09:27,033 --> 00:09:29,735 they could potentially attach a bill 214 00:09:29,835 --> 00:09:31,704 which the governor could not veto. 215 00:09:31,804 --> 00:09:32,972 Is that fair. 216 00:09:33,072 --> 00:09:35,441 >> Not really that that has been argued 217 00:09:35,541 --> 00:09:37,443 by some Senator Jeff Jackson Mecklenburg County 218 00:09:37,543 --> 00:09:40,479 or county kind of started that meem on the internet. 219 00:09:40,580 --> 00:09:42,882 I don't believe that is particularly persuasive 220 00:09:42,982 --> 00:09:44,617 but the argument they do have for it 221 00:09:44,717 --> 00:09:47,186 is that they you could have changed the language 222 00:09:47,286 --> 00:09:49,622 to rule that out and they didn't change it. 223 00:09:49,722 --> 00:09:51,424 Well legislature response is why we rule out 224 00:09:51,524 --> 00:09:52,959 something that's impossible. 225 00:09:53,059 --> 00:09:54,560 I think that this is a little bit like 226 00:09:54,660 --> 00:09:56,329 claiming the victims rights amendment 227 00:09:56,429 --> 00:09:59,899 will actually is some sort of sneaky anti-abortion thing 228 00:09:59,999 --> 00:10:02,802 that this is conspiracy theorizing of the worst kind. 229 00:10:02,902 --> 00:10:04,870 It doesn't help us. 230 00:10:04,971 --> 00:10:07,807 >> It sounds like you if you're a lawyer and a legislator 231 00:10:07,907 --> 00:10:09,375 you know there's a high possibility 232 00:10:09,475 --> 00:10:11,344 you could argue a case in front of a judge 233 00:10:11,444 --> 00:10:13,279 that you basically appointed. 234 00:10:13,379 --> 00:10:15,648 >> There is actually that's why I would suggest 235 00:10:15,748 --> 00:10:18,317 the lawyers around them. 236 00:10:18,417 --> 00:10:20,653 >> I agree that the attorney general does that that's true 237 00:10:20,753 --> 00:10:23,055 but that's currently the case when the governor appoints 238 00:10:23,155 --> 00:10:25,224 the vacancies and the governor has cases that go before. 239 00:10:25,324 --> 00:10:26,692 >> Let's put up still two so that 240 00:10:26,792 --> 00:10:28,694 we can look at this the second amendment 241 00:10:28,794 --> 00:10:30,796 that that Governor Cowper's is concerned about. It says: 242 00:10:52,652 --> 00:10:55,187 >> Wow a lot of words there. 243 00:10:55,287 --> 00:10:57,523 Basically what they're concerned about 244 00:10:57,623 --> 00:11:00,760 is it's going to transpire again power from the governor 245 00:11:01,694 --> 00:11:06,198 to having four members of the elections and ethics 246 00:11:06,298 --> 00:11:09,301 commission from one party four from the other party. 247 00:11:10,169 --> 00:11:12,338 And it's going to further erode the power of the government. 248 00:11:12,438 --> 00:11:14,907 And I don't think that not just don't elections. That's right. 249 00:11:15,007 --> 00:11:16,642 >> That's right. And that's a big point 250 00:11:16,742 --> 00:11:18,644 but I actually think that this is another one 251 00:11:18,744 --> 00:11:20,079 I think this is going to confuse the public. 252 00:11:20,179 --> 00:11:21,747 There's lots of language in here. 253 00:11:21,847 --> 00:11:23,315 All the things to me are case studies about 254 00:11:23,416 --> 00:11:25,618 why we shouldn't do this in a rushed short session 255 00:11:25,718 --> 00:11:27,820 why we should have had hearings that had a lot of input. 256 00:11:27,920 --> 00:11:29,255 Maybe we need to change the constitution. 257 00:11:29,355 --> 00:11:31,023 We surely don't need to change it six amendments 258 00:11:31,123 --> 00:11:34,126 at a time with little thought going back to the two of them. 259 00:11:34,927 --> 00:11:37,596 >> Article 13 of our Constitution Patrick says 260 00:11:38,097 --> 00:11:41,100 that proposed amendments should be fairly 261 00:11:41,200 --> 00:11:43,536 and accurately reflected on the ballot. 262 00:11:44,270 --> 00:11:46,038 Do these pass the test. 263 00:11:46,138 --> 00:11:48,741 >> Well as far as the Board of Elections 264 00:11:48,841 --> 00:11:52,445 things that's a good part but frankly who's going to know 265 00:11:52,545 --> 00:11:54,880 unless there's a real public campaign 266 00:11:54,980 --> 00:11:56,115 about the appointment process. 267 00:11:56,215 --> 00:11:58,417 So it's kind of hard to say they are really. 268 00:11:59,018 --> 00:12:00,586 And I don't know what's going to happen there 269 00:12:00,686 --> 00:12:02,354 but there might be something big coming out 270 00:12:02,455 --> 00:12:04,523 with people really do want to push. 271 00:12:04,623 --> 00:12:06,292 >> Yeah I think the nature of the problem here 272 00:12:06,392 --> 00:12:08,260 is that that constitutional provision 273 00:12:08,360 --> 00:12:10,763 is there that this ought to be true. 274 00:12:10,863 --> 00:12:12,498 This ought to not mislead the voters. 275 00:12:12,598 --> 00:12:14,300 The problem is what is the remedy here. 276 00:12:14,400 --> 00:12:16,368 This is a really ultimately a political question 277 00:12:16,469 --> 00:12:20,673 the voters do get to decide whether to do this or not. 278 00:12:20,773 --> 00:12:22,575 I think on this board of elections 279 00:12:22,675 --> 00:12:25,478 Memet for example this is not Aquash where I have concerns 280 00:12:25,578 --> 00:12:28,347 I'm actively against this bill but I think it's a bad idea 281 00:12:28,447 --> 00:12:30,883 but I also will the average citizen no doubt understand 282 00:12:30,983 --> 00:12:32,318 well they'll listen to me and of course 283 00:12:32,418 --> 00:12:35,554 they'll vote on something. It is a compelling discussion 284 00:12:35,654 --> 00:12:38,491 but allowing judges to intervene and say we don't think 285 00:12:38,591 --> 00:12:40,693 this is an accurate reading of the amendment 286 00:12:40,793 --> 00:12:42,428 therefore we're going to take it off the ballot. 287 00:12:42,528 --> 00:12:43,729 That is a dangerous precedent. 288 00:12:43,829 --> 00:12:45,030 >> And I lived with the legislature 289 00:12:45,131 --> 00:12:47,333 the Republican legislature gave the authority to do this 290 00:12:47,433 --> 00:12:49,135 to a commission thinking 291 00:12:49,235 --> 00:12:51,537 that I think that the Republican attorney general candidate 292 00:12:51,637 --> 00:12:52,872 Buck Newton was going to win. 293 00:12:52,972 --> 00:12:54,507 Then all of a sudden we talked about this last week 294 00:12:54,607 --> 00:12:55,808 or last couple of weeks 295 00:12:55,908 --> 00:12:57,109 then all of a sudden there's a 2 to 1 296 00:12:57,209 --> 00:12:58,878 Democratic majority in that commission. 297 00:12:58,978 --> 00:13:00,846 Then they took that they had a they had a session 298 00:13:00,946 --> 00:13:02,181 to take that power in effect 299 00:13:02,281 --> 00:13:03,482 take that power away from the commission 300 00:13:03,582 --> 00:13:05,518 they gave the power to. So they were playing games 301 00:13:05,618 --> 00:13:06,886 before they started playing again. 302 00:13:06,986 --> 00:13:08,754 This is a really important point is the argument 303 00:13:08,854 --> 00:13:11,524 I just made which I believe because I made it. 304 00:13:11,624 --> 00:13:14,026 >> Does cut both ways though. I mean just a few weeks ago 305 00:13:14,126 --> 00:13:15,361 the Republicans were saying 306 00:13:15,461 --> 00:13:17,630 if you put a caption on the ballot 307 00:13:17,730 --> 00:13:19,231 that we think is misleading that's wrong. 308 00:13:19,331 --> 00:13:20,699 We're going to have a special session. 309 00:13:20,800 --> 00:13:23,369 Take it off because the voters might be confused. 310 00:13:23,469 --> 00:13:24,937 Now they're arguing well 311 00:13:25,037 --> 00:13:27,439 you know the voters have the ultimate decision. 312 00:13:27,540 --> 00:13:29,675 It's their responsibility to inform themselves. 313 00:13:29,775 --> 00:13:31,977 Let's choose one or the other argument here. 314 00:13:32,511 --> 00:13:37,049 >> Well look I think if you put 12 jurors in a box and Fed 315 00:13:37,149 --> 00:13:38,517 Put on your evidence 316 00:13:38,617 --> 00:13:41,654 that this amendment would come across as being confusing 317 00:13:41,754 --> 00:13:44,156 they don't know what it means. They don't understand it. 318 00:13:44,256 --> 00:13:46,025 And I think it's designed that way. 319 00:13:46,792 --> 00:13:48,060 I think it's a bad 320 00:13:48,160 --> 00:13:51,163 a bad proposal put on the ballot. 321 00:13:51,263 --> 00:13:53,065 >> I'm hopeful there will be more chances here. 322 00:13:53,165 --> 00:13:55,467 Patrick what about this voter ID amendment 323 00:13:55,568 --> 00:13:57,303 that they're talking to that putting on the ballot 324 00:13:57,403 --> 00:13:58,571 give us no information 325 00:13:58,671 --> 00:14:03,309 whatsoever what's going to be the proper identification. 326 00:14:03,409 --> 00:14:05,077 >> I think that's going to be a lot more cut and dry. 327 00:14:05,177 --> 00:14:06,745 I mean some people are time about the Real I.D. 328 00:14:06,846 --> 00:14:08,147 coming out from the federal government 329 00:14:08,247 --> 00:14:10,316 could be the actual identification. 330 00:14:11,417 --> 00:14:13,285 Currently right now if you need an ID 331 00:14:14,186 --> 00:14:17,089 you need an ID for voter ID when we pass these laws 332 00:14:17,189 --> 00:14:18,657 we've said we'll give you a free I.D. 333 00:14:18,757 --> 00:14:20,593 If you can't you don't have one. 334 00:14:20,693 --> 00:14:23,329 I think do a lot more cut and dry than the other one. 335 00:14:24,129 --> 00:14:26,031 >> Whether it's a license or military IDs 336 00:14:26,131 --> 00:14:27,967 the previous bill you could assume 337 00:14:28,067 --> 00:14:29,668 that it would be very similar to the previous bill. 338 00:14:29,768 --> 00:14:32,671 >> We understand the lines at the Department of Motor Vehicles 339 00:14:32,771 --> 00:14:36,208 are very lengthy now for people wanting these real IDs. 340 00:14:36,308 --> 00:14:38,277 Let's move over to another part of this 341 00:14:39,178 --> 00:14:42,348 which is which is this Supreme Court race. 342 00:14:42,448 --> 00:14:44,717 There's another court issue involved in that. 343 00:14:45,251 --> 00:14:46,986 We had three candidates on the ballot there 344 00:14:47,086 --> 00:14:49,955 Supreme Court justice incumbent Supreme Court Justice Barbara 345 00:14:50,055 --> 00:14:51,757 Jackson who's a Republican. 346 00:14:52,424 --> 00:14:55,394 We had Anita Earls who's a Democrat. 347 00:14:55,494 --> 00:14:58,564 And right at the end we had a filing by a gentleman 348 00:14:58,664 --> 00:15:02,368 named Chris Anglin who registered as a Republican. 349 00:15:02,468 --> 00:15:03,736 The legislature thought 350 00:15:03,836 --> 00:15:06,906 that wasn't going to help Barbara Jackson. 351 00:15:07,006 --> 00:15:10,910 And so they said he didn't change his registration 352 00:15:11,010 --> 00:15:12,711 party registration enough time. 353 00:15:14,179 --> 00:15:16,849 He went to court got a temporary restraining order 354 00:15:18,250 --> 00:15:20,419 in order to remain as a Republican. 355 00:15:21,320 --> 00:15:24,056 Why is that hurtful to Barbara Jackson 356 00:15:24,156 --> 00:15:26,458 or to Republicans should face a primary 357 00:15:26,558 --> 00:15:28,861 and then they don't want her to face that primary. 358 00:15:28,961 --> 00:15:30,763 >> That is not a primary. 359 00:15:30,863 --> 00:15:33,666 Well they're on the ballot and they would split the vote. 360 00:15:33,766 --> 00:15:34,900 >> That's. OK. 361 00:15:35,000 --> 00:15:38,737 So but but the but the point is the legislature changed 362 00:15:38,837 --> 00:15:41,373 the rules of the game in midstream 363 00:15:41,473 --> 00:15:44,910 on him running as a Republican. He complied with the rules 364 00:15:45,010 --> 00:15:47,813 when he filed he complied with all the rules. 365 00:15:47,913 --> 00:15:50,182 But now that he's running as a Republican 366 00:15:50,282 --> 00:15:51,650 they won't change the rules. 367 00:15:51,750 --> 00:15:53,686 I think that it's a winnable case. 368 00:15:53,786 --> 00:15:55,788 >> But John he announced this week 369 00:15:56,455 --> 00:15:58,691 that if the court ruled against him 370 00:15:58,791 --> 00:16:00,292 because of the hearing on this 371 00:16:00,392 --> 00:16:03,062 is supposed to take place the 13th I think. 372 00:16:03,562 --> 00:16:05,764 If the court rules against him he's going to withdraw. 373 00:16:05,864 --> 00:16:06,966 Did he hurt his own case. 374 00:16:07,066 --> 00:16:08,233 >> Of course he did. 375 00:16:08,334 --> 00:16:10,769 It is transparently obvious that his campaign 376 00:16:10,869 --> 00:16:12,805 is designed to help elect Anita Earls. 377 00:16:12,905 --> 00:16:14,773 It's just pretty obvious anybody 378 00:16:14,873 --> 00:16:16,709 who's being straightforward about the facts. 379 00:16:16,809 --> 00:16:20,879 However that doesn't doesn't vitiate against 380 00:16:20,980 --> 00:16:22,181 Dennis's argument 381 00:16:22,281 --> 00:16:24,516 that he comply with the rules as they were written. 382 00:16:24,616 --> 00:16:26,518 Now they were written after he filed. 383 00:16:26,618 --> 00:16:28,287 And ultimately the Republicans who are outraged about 384 00:16:28,387 --> 00:16:33,092 this the original sin here as not having judicial primaries. 385 00:16:33,192 --> 00:16:34,960 If there had been a primary in the Supreme Court race, 386 00:16:35,060 --> 00:16:36,462 and Anglin really was a Republican 387 00:16:36,562 --> 00:16:38,297 and ran in the primary 388 00:16:38,397 --> 00:16:40,432 then he would have had a chance to defeat Barbara Jackson. 389 00:16:40,532 --> 00:16:42,368 >> All right let's play "what if" for a second here. 390 00:16:42,468 --> 00:16:46,071 Going back to the overall overarching court cases 391 00:16:46,171 --> 00:16:48,841 that are involved here what if the three judge panel 392 00:16:49,708 --> 00:16:53,045 refuses to give a tier to the governor 393 00:16:53,145 --> 00:16:56,949 the NAACP the environmental group what happens then Chris. 394 00:16:57,049 --> 00:16:59,351 >> Well and the the ballot so soon 395 00:16:59,451 --> 00:17:00,853 will be starting to be printed 396 00:17:00,953 --> 00:17:02,955 and we'll have we'll have these amendments on the election 397 00:17:03,055 --> 00:17:05,157 it seems that they are currently work right. 398 00:17:05,257 --> 00:17:07,426 And then the argument I think people will appeal that. 399 00:17:07,526 --> 00:17:10,162 But then the people the legislators case will be 400 00:17:10,262 --> 00:17:11,597 oh we're already under way 401 00:17:11,697 --> 00:17:13,432 and I think so I think that the euro in this case 402 00:17:13,532 --> 00:17:15,501 is important before the election machinery gets started. 403 00:17:15,601 --> 00:17:16,802 I do want to jump in for a second 404 00:17:16,902 --> 00:17:18,237 on that Chris Angland case. 405 00:17:18,337 --> 00:17:20,773 This is a fascinating example to me of the Republicans 406 00:17:20,873 --> 00:17:22,808 actually tried before the filing deadline 407 00:17:22,908 --> 00:17:24,309 to recruit other candidates or a group 408 00:17:24,410 --> 00:17:26,712 affiliated with Republicans and they couldn't find anybody. 409 00:17:26,812 --> 00:17:29,415 And then then they sort of were hoisted on their own petard 410 00:17:29,515 --> 00:17:33,852 in a way as a person switched parties. It's fascinating. 411 00:17:33,952 --> 00:17:35,454 And the bottom line is you can't change the rules 412 00:17:35,554 --> 00:17:36,722 halfway through the game. 413 00:17:36,822 --> 00:17:38,757 >> I didn't know you were going to get erudite on us. 414 00:17:38,857 --> 00:17:42,094 You know he was floating Dan Blue today 415 00:17:42,194 --> 00:17:43,896 but he used to write things for Dan Blue. 416 00:17:43,996 --> 00:17:46,065 Maybe this is for Dan Blue. 417 00:17:47,066 --> 00:17:49,268 >> Let's move over to a lawsuit that ended with a jury 418 00:17:49,368 --> 00:17:52,671 awarding 473 million dollars to neighbors 419 00:17:52,771 --> 00:17:54,473 on a hog waste lawsuit. 420 00:17:54,573 --> 00:17:56,175 The largest verdict any of us can remember. 421 00:17:56,275 --> 00:17:58,110 The case is on appeal 422 00:17:58,210 --> 00:18:01,447 and because of state law the award will be reduced. 423 00:18:01,547 --> 00:18:04,583 But farmers agribusiness experts even elected leaders 424 00:18:04,683 --> 00:18:06,785 say these so-called nuisance lawsuits 425 00:18:06,885 --> 00:18:08,887 are going to result in Smithfield Foods 426 00:18:08,987 --> 00:18:13,158 leaving our state and the pork industry virtually disappearing. 427 00:18:13,258 --> 00:18:15,360 Environmentalists say the smells are unhealthy 428 00:18:15,461 --> 00:18:16,662 and a real nuisance. 429 00:18:16,762 --> 00:18:20,432 Patrick Sebastion there some 26 of these lawsuits now. 430 00:18:20,532 --> 00:18:23,836 We've had three verdicts. What was it 90 million dollar 431 00:18:23,936 --> 00:18:25,637 verdict of 50 million dollar verdict 432 00:18:25,737 --> 00:18:27,706 in a 25 million dollar verdict. 433 00:18:27,806 --> 00:18:30,676 This one is supposed to be reduced to 94 million 434 00:18:30,776 --> 00:18:33,145 but supporters say it is outrageous. 435 00:18:33,779 --> 00:18:35,948 The port industry says it's outrageous. 436 00:18:36,048 --> 00:18:37,916 What do you say to the charges that it's eventually going 437 00:18:38,016 --> 00:18:39,952 to bring the downfall of the pork industry. 438 00:18:40,052 --> 00:18:41,520 >> Well agriculture and farming 439 00:18:41,620 --> 00:18:43,021 are the lifeblood of our state's economy. 440 00:18:43,122 --> 00:18:47,059 Still we have the second highest resected highest producer 441 00:18:47,159 --> 00:18:48,494 of hogs in the country. 442 00:18:48,594 --> 00:18:51,830 So yeah this keeps happening and these payoffs keep happening 443 00:18:51,930 --> 00:18:53,432 this could be a major major problem for our state 444 00:18:53,532 --> 00:18:55,501 but we're not the only state that has lawsuits 445 00:18:55,601 --> 00:18:58,036 were lawsuits are allowed but something's got to happen 446 00:18:58,137 --> 00:18:59,705 it's got to be some kind of regulation 447 00:18:59,805 --> 00:19:01,273 or something at the beginning of these things 448 00:19:01,373 --> 00:19:04,309 to where there's not going to be 38 lawsuits anymore. 449 00:19:04,409 --> 00:19:06,178 And what I'm worried more worried 450 00:19:06,278 --> 00:19:07,412 about the farmers themselves 451 00:19:07,513 --> 00:19:09,348 and the people that are employed. 452 00:19:09,448 --> 00:19:14,820 >> So at Denish midweek this past week we got word 453 00:19:14,920 --> 00:19:16,421 that a U.S. district court judge 454 00:19:16,522 --> 00:19:19,791 Earl Britt was recusing himself from this 455 00:19:19,892 --> 00:19:23,162 and a judge from West Virginia is going to be appointed. 456 00:19:24,663 --> 00:19:27,032 Was new in this case that the heat got too hot 457 00:19:27,132 --> 00:19:28,333 or what was going on. 458 00:19:28,433 --> 00:19:31,170 >> It's really known Tom. Nobody knows exactly 459 00:19:31,270 --> 00:19:33,338 why Judge Brett stepped aside on these cases. 460 00:19:33,438 --> 00:19:35,807 There was a lot of complaints I think by the pork industry 461 00:19:35,908 --> 00:19:38,310 about the way he was conducting the trials. 462 00:19:38,410 --> 00:19:43,382 But I think that the jurors looked at the evidence 463 00:19:43,482 --> 00:19:46,985 and apparently just sided with the homeowners out there 464 00:19:47,085 --> 00:19:50,322 that we're having to put up with these hog hog lose. 465 00:19:50,422 --> 00:19:54,893 >> But John the lawsuits the pork industry farmers 466 00:19:54,993 --> 00:19:56,328 agribusiness say 467 00:19:56,428 --> 00:19:59,965 all of this has been prompted by outside agitators 468 00:20:00,065 --> 00:20:03,335 and lawyers from Texas and from other states 469 00:20:03,435 --> 00:20:06,672 not coming from North Carolina. We didn't have. 470 00:20:06,772 --> 00:20:09,474 These kinds of what they called nuisance lawsuits 471 00:20:09,575 --> 00:20:10,943 not a legitimate claim. 472 00:20:11,043 --> 00:20:12,511 >> I'm sure it is factually accurate 473 00:20:12,611 --> 00:20:13,912 that lots of out of state interest 474 00:20:14,012 --> 00:20:15,113 are involved in these lawsuits. 475 00:20:15,214 --> 00:20:17,783 That doesn't mean the plaintiffs don't have a claim. 476 00:20:17,883 --> 00:20:19,918 The plaintiffs are arguing we have property rights 477 00:20:20,018 --> 00:20:23,055 where near a hog lagoon, the smell 478 00:20:23,155 --> 00:20:25,190 is a nuisance aesthetics that affect our property right. 479 00:20:25,290 --> 00:20:26,658 The better argument the pork industry 480 00:20:26,758 --> 00:20:29,528 has is that many of these property owners move then. 481 00:20:29,628 --> 00:20:33,632 After the operations were in place after you could smell. 482 00:20:33,732 --> 00:20:36,301 That's that's actually the more relevant legal argument 483 00:20:36,401 --> 00:20:38,470 not whether the lawyers from Texas or New York 484 00:20:38,570 --> 00:20:40,138 or North Carolina. 485 00:20:40,239 --> 00:20:44,743 You know I'm very easily tempted to be Antei out of state lawyer 486 00:20:44,843 --> 00:20:45,978 but I'll be to resist 487 00:20:46,078 --> 00:20:47,412 that temptation say it doesn't matter. 488 00:20:47,512 --> 00:20:49,248 >> First of all I think what's fascinating about this case 489 00:20:49,348 --> 00:20:50,616 is that people are acting like these 490 00:20:50,716 --> 00:20:52,351 are these are small family farm 491 00:20:52,451 --> 00:20:54,286 that are being oppressed somehow but many of them 492 00:20:54,386 --> 00:20:57,689 are no fair small family farms don't have 20000 Khagan. 493 00:20:57,789 --> 00:21:01,560 OK. Few people would say these are corporate owned Chinese 494 00:21:01,660 --> 00:21:03,996 owned 20000 hog farms next door 495 00:21:04,096 --> 00:21:05,597 and people are saying all these hog farms 496 00:21:05,697 --> 00:21:07,165 have always been there you have it 20 years ago 497 00:21:07,266 --> 00:21:09,668 they were 100 hogs there not 20000. 498 00:21:09,768 --> 00:21:11,370 And if you can't open your window 499 00:21:11,470 --> 00:21:14,339 and your emphysema is made worse and you can't sell your property 500 00:21:14,439 --> 00:21:16,608 or the value has gone down by 100 percent 501 00:21:16,708 --> 00:21:18,443 if you read the accounts of this trial 502 00:21:18,543 --> 00:21:20,345 it's stunning every jury is always going to find form 503 00:21:20,445 --> 00:21:22,814 because everybody can imagine opening their window 504 00:21:22,914 --> 00:21:25,550 and smell this incredible odor and the solution 505 00:21:25,651 --> 00:21:27,919 is the hog industry the corporate hog industry 506 00:21:28,020 --> 00:21:29,655 needs to figure out the technology 507 00:21:29,755 --> 00:21:31,790 to reduce this problem. 508 00:21:31,890 --> 00:21:36,561 >> And remember it was it was a jury of their peers 509 00:21:37,296 --> 00:21:39,097 that rendered these verdicts not the lawyers. 510 00:21:39,197 --> 00:21:40,465 >> I got that. 511 00:21:40,565 --> 00:21:44,770 However as we all know it's easy easier to get juries 512 00:21:44,870 --> 00:21:48,874 to make large awards when people go to juries 513 00:21:48,974 --> 00:21:50,809 in North Carolina fairly conservative. 514 00:21:50,909 --> 00:21:52,511 >> I mean I was really shocked at the size 515 00:21:52,611 --> 00:21:54,680 of this versus in Alabama. Yeah. 516 00:21:55,947 --> 00:21:57,916 >> No that's where the juries -- 517 00:21:58,016 --> 00:21:59,951 >> Smithfield says they're not going to settle here. 518 00:22:00,052 --> 00:22:01,219 They're going to keep going. OK. 519 00:22:01,320 --> 00:22:03,755 >> So if they keep going what's the ultimate result. 520 00:22:03,855 --> 00:22:05,324 Are we still going to lose them. 521 00:22:05,424 --> 00:22:06,558 >> No I doubt it. 522 00:22:06,658 --> 00:22:08,760 I think I think there's got to be some kind of precedent 523 00:22:08,860 --> 00:22:11,129 if you will set here about these kind of issues 524 00:22:11,229 --> 00:22:12,898 or these lawsuits are going to keep happening. 525 00:22:12,998 --> 00:22:14,866 They're never going to be fulfilled. 526 00:22:14,966 --> 00:22:17,569 And I keep watching the politics of it's really interesting. 527 00:22:17,669 --> 00:22:20,772 You have the Republicans that are totally with the farmers 528 00:22:20,872 --> 00:22:22,474 with the big farmers and the small farmers. 529 00:22:22,574 --> 00:22:23,709 And then you have the governor 530 00:22:23,809 --> 00:22:26,211 and the Attorney General Moore the trial lawyers. 531 00:22:26,311 --> 00:22:28,413 So you see a lot of politics here. 532 00:22:28,513 --> 00:22:30,182 And I want to see there's ever kind of any precedent 533 00:22:30,282 --> 00:22:32,517 set either by law or by the courts. 534 00:22:32,617 --> 00:22:35,287 >> It can't be interesting that the legislators came out 535 00:22:35,387 --> 00:22:37,122 in favor of the pork industry. 536 00:22:37,222 --> 00:22:40,292 I mean they obviously pass it on now and just keep going out. 537 00:22:40,392 --> 00:22:42,828 >> I may just like out of state lawyer and statewide matter 538 00:22:42,928 --> 00:22:46,465 whether the the company involved is big or small does it matter. 539 00:22:46,565 --> 00:22:48,834 Remember that even a big corporate hog farm 540 00:22:48,934 --> 00:22:50,769 has lots and lots of employees and vendors. 541 00:22:50,869 --> 00:22:52,437 There are thousands of North Carolinians 542 00:22:52,537 --> 00:22:54,673 who live livelihoods are on the line. 543 00:22:54,773 --> 00:22:57,342 But in fairness there are also thousands of property owners 544 00:22:57,442 --> 00:22:58,977 who have an answer. This is a real clash 545 00:22:59,077 --> 00:23:00,879 of interests a real clash of rights claims. 546 00:23:00,979 --> 00:23:03,115 >> This is going to be an ongoing story really. 547 00:23:03,215 --> 00:23:04,449 All right. 548 00:23:04,549 --> 00:23:07,819 And I'm sure we'll be talking about it again as weeks go on. 549 00:23:07,919 --> 00:23:10,122 Speaking of talking I think it's time for you guys 550 00:23:10,222 --> 00:23:11,356 to talk a little bit 551 00:23:11,456 --> 00:23:12,657 and tell us something we don't know. 552 00:23:12,758 --> 00:23:13,925 Chris Fitzsimon start with you. 553 00:23:14,025 --> 00:23:15,227 >> Well we know a little bit about him. 554 00:23:15,327 --> 00:23:17,262 I'm fascinated this whole debate about the governor's powers 555 00:23:17,362 --> 00:23:18,497 and I thought it was great 556 00:23:18,597 --> 00:23:20,966 that former Republican governors have weighed in. 557 00:23:21,066 --> 00:23:23,635 And I was just thinking back to back in the old days. 558 00:23:23,735 --> 00:23:26,471 North Carolina governor didn't have the veto until 1997. 559 00:23:26,571 --> 00:23:28,940 People sort of forgotten that and it was the Republicans 560 00:23:29,040 --> 00:23:30,275 who were sort of leading the charge 561 00:23:30,375 --> 00:23:32,043 to make sure we had a powerful chief executive. 562 00:23:32,144 --> 00:23:33,779 They thought that was one of the most important things 563 00:23:33,879 --> 00:23:35,547 we could do. That was 1997. 564 00:23:35,647 --> 00:23:38,049 Here we are in 2018 and they seem hell bent 565 00:23:38,150 --> 00:23:40,719 on taking as much power away from the chief executive 566 00:23:40,819 --> 00:23:42,320 that they thought was so important. 567 00:23:42,421 --> 00:23:43,922 Not too long ago and I thought it was. 568 00:23:44,022 --> 00:23:45,524 It says a lot that former Republican governors 569 00:23:45,624 --> 00:23:46,792 have spoken up. 570 00:23:46,892 --> 00:23:49,127 It shows this is a power grab and not a partisan issue. 571 00:23:49,227 --> 00:23:50,896 >> Patrick tell us something we don't know. 572 00:23:50,996 --> 00:23:53,432 >> So after almost two years since Hurricane Matthew 573 00:23:53,532 --> 00:23:55,534 they're still not really construction being built. 574 00:23:55,634 --> 00:23:56,768 You have states like South Carolina 575 00:23:56,868 --> 00:23:58,370 that have built houses after the hurricane 576 00:23:58,470 --> 00:23:59,838 with the same funding mechanism. 577 00:23:59,938 --> 00:24:01,840 It's still not happening in North Carolina. 578 00:24:01,940 --> 00:24:04,209 And then at the same time frankly politically I hate 579 00:24:04,309 --> 00:24:06,178 to say it but at the same time you have the governor it looks 580 00:24:06,278 --> 00:24:08,480 like renovating the governor's mansion for himself 581 00:24:08,580 --> 00:24:12,984 but not pushing forward at these things. 582 00:24:13,084 --> 00:24:15,620 >> Is that something that you didn't already know Tom? 583 00:24:15,720 --> 00:24:18,290 >> Yeah that's definitely something I did didn't know. 584 00:24:18,390 --> 00:24:19,991 Dennis Wicker, tell us something we don't know. 585 00:24:20,091 --> 00:24:22,727 >> The Cape Fear River is the longest river 586 00:24:22,828 --> 00:24:24,896 in North Carolina 207 miles. 587 00:24:24,996 --> 00:24:27,899 It starts in Lee County with the confluence of the deep 588 00:24:27,999 --> 00:24:31,069 in the Fall River at the end of the Cape Fear sits the U.S. 589 00:24:31,169 --> 00:24:34,606 just North Carolina U.S. Navy wanted to scrap it. 590 00:24:35,273 --> 00:24:37,542 North Carolina said no we want to bring her home. 591 00:24:37,642 --> 00:24:39,978 They collected donations from private citizens 592 00:24:40,078 --> 00:24:41,780 and dams from schoolchildren 593 00:24:41,880 --> 00:24:43,949 I remember the day that I remember let me tell you 594 00:24:44,049 --> 00:24:45,817 a wonder if we could do that today. 595 00:24:45,917 --> 00:24:48,019 >> Interesting John could tell us something we don't know. 596 00:24:48,119 --> 00:24:49,454 >> Governor Cooper's been complaining 597 00:24:49,554 --> 00:24:52,557 about encroachments on executive power by the legislature 598 00:24:52,657 --> 00:24:54,759 but this week he announced his administration 599 00:24:54,860 --> 00:24:57,295 so that any legislative action they were going to start taxing 600 00:24:57,395 --> 00:25:00,165 a bunch of more online sales calls to North Carolinians 601 00:25:00,265 --> 00:25:01,867 hundreds of millions of dollars a year. 602 00:25:01,967 --> 00:25:04,503 There's no legislative agenda ahead. 603 00:25:04,603 --> 00:25:07,072 No know the court allows states to do it. 604 00:25:07,172 --> 00:25:09,207 The legislature levies taxes this is a case 605 00:25:09,307 --> 00:25:10,609 where the governor is encroaching 606 00:25:10,709 --> 00:25:12,410 on the legislature's power. >> Wow. 607 00:25:12,911 --> 00:25:14,145 Now that's a topic by the way 608 00:25:14,246 --> 00:25:15,747 we're going to talk about next week. 609 00:25:15,847 --> 00:25:17,782 Well you've heard our spin on the issues of the day. 610 00:25:17,883 --> 00:25:19,618 To stay informed all during the week. 611 00:25:19,718 --> 00:25:22,354 >> Give your feedback and read my weekly column. 612 00:25:22,454 --> 00:25:25,357 Be sure to visit our Web site and spin dot com or catchiness 613 00:25:25,457 --> 00:25:28,093 the spin on Facebook and join us next week. 614 00:25:28,193 --> 00:25:30,695 We'll have more balanced debate for the old more state. 615 00:25:30,795 --> 00:25:34,099 Until then stay informed and watch out for the spin. 616 00:25:42,307 --> 00:25:44,709 >> In rural North Carolina, vibrant Main Streets 617 00:25:44,809 --> 00:25:47,078 depend on a thriving agricultural economy. 618 00:25:47,178 --> 00:25:49,681 Research at NC State improves the products 619 00:25:49,781 --> 00:25:52,117 our farmers raise and grow. 620 00:25:52,217 --> 00:25:53,919 NC State Extension brings that research from labs to fields 621 00:25:54,019 --> 00:25:57,522 in all 100 counties 622 00:25:57,622 --> 00:25:59,391 which means growth for rural in North Carolina. 623 00:25:59,491 --> 00:26:02,561 At NC State, what we think and do helps grow local economies. 624 00:26:02,661 --> 00:26:05,764 >> Discover how NC State and extension work for you. 625 00:26:05,864 --> 00:26:08,300 Visit: 626 00:26:15,307 --> 00:26:17,275 >> Underwriting support provided in part 627 00:26:17,375 --> 00:26:20,579 by the more than 65,000 members of the North Carolina 628 00:26:20,679 --> 00:26:23,548 Retired Governmental Employees Association 629 00:26:24,449 --> 00:26:26,718 >> Today's tools make your real DIY'er 630 00:26:26,818 --> 00:26:28,553 and as a member of an electric cooperative 631 00:26:28,653 --> 00:26:31,790 you have lots of valuable tools to help you do it yourself 632 00:26:31,890 --> 00:26:34,392 and controlling your home energy use and budget 633 00:26:34,492 --> 00:26:36,795 leaving you free to be dad. 634 00:26:39,965 --> 00:26:41,766 >> North Carolina channel is made possible 635 00:26:41,866 --> 00:26:43,802 by the financial contributions of viewers 636 00:26:43,902 --> 00:26:46,771 like you who support the UNC-TV network.