News Articles
Fight to get Cat is pricey
Richard Craver
Jul 5th, 2010
"As long as it is a closed process, taxpayers are going to end up paying more because our officials are going to end up bidding more as these companies continue to play communities off each other for maximum benefit," Orr said. Orr said that there would be more integrity in the process "if companies put their plans and parameters on eBay for seven days and said, ‘Have at it.'"
Redistricting Could Be Biggest Consequence of Midterm Elections
David N. Bass
Jun 30th, 2010
Redistricting is never a zero-sum game, though, because Republicans still benefit when Democrats gerrymander. To improve their chances in a given congressional district, for example, Democrats might have to siphon off friendly voters from neighboring districts, weakening their prospects. “Everything is a domino, which is one of the difficulties in drawing the districts if you’re concerned about incumbent protection,” said Orr, who is now director of the North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law.
Let sun shine in on lobbying case results
Staff Writer
Jun 30th, 2010
An Opinion Piece from the Charlotte Observer, addressing the Secretary of State Litigation: In an era when N.C. executive branch officials as well as state legislators are calling almost daily for more transparency in government, state government is curiously deficient in one key area of openness: If you file a formal complaint about a potential lobbying violation, you can't find out whether the N.C. Secretary of State's office has taken action on it. And if by chance you find out a lobbyist has been sanctioned by that office, you can't even find out why.
Tax breaks for Hollywood among latest free rides given by N.C.
Scott Mooneyham
Jun 25th, 2010
A study conducted by the Arrowhead Center at New Mexico State University suggested that incentives offered in that state produced just 14 cents in tax revenue for every dollar offered by the state. Bob Orr, the head of the N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law and an incentive critic, also points out another objectionable aspect to the movie incentives: these aren’t permanent jobs. How much are these film productions really worth to the broader North Carolina economy, to the permanent residents of the state? Or is this just about being able to say that Daniel Day-Lewis romped around the North Carolina mountains wearing buckskins and feathers in his hair? At what level do incentives to moviemakers no longer become cost effective?
Orr says issuing bonds without public vote unconstitutional
Leigh Kelley
Jun 23rd, 2010
By Leigh Kelley of the Times-News: Issuing bonds without approval from taxpayers and giving economic incentives to businesses hurts North Carolina's tax base and is unconstitutional, said Robert Orr, a retired judge with the N.C. Supreme Court and Hendersonville native. Yet it has been a practice of some governments across the state. “So while the retired teacher has to pay taxes and the retired military veteran has to pay taxes, Google does not have to pay property taxes,” Orr said. “I will go to my grave saying it is unconstitutional. You are benefiting that company, and it's wrong. Most of these companies would be coming here anyway, so it's a farce.”
Marshall's office sued
Benjamin Niolet
Jun 22nd, 2010
From The News and Observer: A nonprofit center that opposes government incentives for businesses has sued Secretary of State Elaine Marshall's office because it can't get any information about a lobbying complaint. The N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law, which is led by former Supreme Court Justice Bob Orr, filed the lawsuit saying that state officials have misinterpreted state law governing whether information about lobbying violations or complaints can be released.
Elaine Marshall's office fends off lawsuit over lobbying
Rachel Gallaher
Jun 22nd, 2010
By Rachel Gallaher of Eyewitness News 9: Elaine Marshall is dealing with a lawsuit over lobbying here in the east. The North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law filed the suit against Marshall’s office saying they want more transparent government when it comes to lobbying. The institute requested information last year in regards to lobbying for Spirit Aerosystems. The institute filed a complaint saying one of the lobbyers wasn't registered and they say they have never gotten any response. Marshall says that's because state law keeps those records confidential. "I very much stand for transparency and openness in government records, but I don't always have my way when general assembly writes something," Marshall said. State attorneys get one month to respond to the suit.
Public Records and Lobbying Law Enforcement Lawsuit filed against N.C. Secretary of State
Elizabeth Lincicome
Jun 21st, 2010
The North Carolina Institute for Constitutional Law (NCICL) brings this action to challenge the denial by the State of North Carolina, the North Carolina Department of the Secretary of State, and Secretary of State Elaine F. Marshall, in her official capacity (Defendants) of NCICL’s request for public records and for information pertaining to a lobbying law violation complaint filed by NCICL. In May of 2008, Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. (“Spirit Aero”) was induced to locate a manufacturing plant at the North Carolina Global TransPark in Kinston, North Carolina with “economic development incentives” from public funds and a commitment for a manufacturing facility worth approximately $100 million dollars to be leased to them for a nominal sum.
NCICL sues Secretary of State Elaine Marshall over records request
Chris Baysden
Jun 21st, 2010
By Chris Baysden of The Triangle Business Journal: NCICL announced Monday that it had filed a lawsuit to challenge what it claims is the denial by the department of the think tank’s request for information pertaining to a lobbying law violation complaint filed by NCICL. Secretary Elaine Marshall and the state of North Carolina also are listed as defendants in the lawsuit. The complicated case in Wake County Superior Court revolves around information that NCICL sought regarding state incentives that were awarded to Spirit AeroSystems Inc. as part of a 2008 economic development package that helped convince the company to locate a manufacturing plant at the N.C. Global TransPark in Kinston.
Lawsuit filed against Sect. of State
Loretta Boniti
Jun 21st, 2010
From Loretta Boniti of News 14 Carolina: “It certainly had nothing to do with it,” says N.C. Institute for Constitutional Law Executive Director Robert Orr. “In fact, I had forgotten when we decided to file it today, that in fact the primary was tomorrow. “ Orr says the decision to file paperwork on Monday is just simply when it made sense to do it. Plus, this wasn't an issue he wanted to delay any longer. “Our concern about putting it off any longer, and we have put it off a good long time, was that the general assembly might simply do nothing and not even address it,” he says. Political analysts say with the little attention that this run-off between Marshall and Cal Cunningham is getting, this suit is unlikely to sway any voters.