People in Politics August 10, 2013 Print
People In Politics
Friday, 09 August 2013 09:05

 

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This week a  key legislative Republican looks back at the GOP’s work during the long session, as well as the criticism directed against the GOP by Democrats and allied groups. Host Donna Martinez talks with Harnett County Republican Rep. David Lewis about tax reform, election reform, and a push he’s currently involved in to level the sales tax field between online retailers and bricks and mortar stores. Then we turn to the latest twist in the story of convicted former state legislator Stephen LaRoque. The Kinston Republican was convicted on 12 federal counts related to misuse of money obtained from the USDA for a nonprofit he ran but now a judge says he should receive a retrial on two of the counts. Martinez gets the story from reporter Sarah Ovaska of the progressive think tank N.C. Policy Watch. Then we hear from the head of the N.C. Division of Employment Security. Dale Folwell reacts to criticism from progressives about cutbacks in the amount of unemployment benefits for the long-term unemployed. That’s followed by analysis of Kay Hagan’s re-election bid. Katie Glick of Politico talks about the challenge faced by the North Carolina Democrat. Next is a look at the continuing controversy in K-12 education about the new standards known as the Common Core. Lt. Gov. Dan Forest opposes the Common Core and is challenging Superintendent of Public Instruction June Atkinson to answer his questions. Recently, Atkinson responded. You’ll hear comments from both officials. And finally, we hear from 10th District Congressman Patrick McHenry, who recently questioned an IRS Inspector General about the findings of an investigation into political targeting by the IRS of conservative groups seeking nonprofit status.