Free Republic

RALEIGH – In the past couple of weeks, leaders of the North Carolina legislature have faced severe criticism from fellow lawmakers, think tankers, and the news media for their questionable handling of so-called “discretionary funds” within state government. For the most part, the leaders’ response has been surprisingly – and often quite disastrously – defiant. Asked about his role in a secret scheme to fund local projects requested by select legislators, and in one case to fund a state job for a former legislator instrumental in delivering him the reins of power in Raleigh, House Speaker Jim Black dismissed his...