Hi BlueNC!

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted. Ever since the primary ended I’ve been running between speaking events, rallies, debates and endless fundraisers. Yesterday both Pat McCrory and I spoke at the NC Coalition for Lobbying and Government Reform forum, and I thought I should share with you some of the ideas I proposed:

1. North Carolina Endowment for Positive Gubernatorial Campaigns. The idea is to create a privately financed bipartisan endowment that does two things -- (1) eliminates the need for candidates to solicit funds from contributors (who may have an interest in the operations of government), and (2) creates a powerful incentive to run positive campaigns.

The plan would be to raise an endowment of $16 to $20 million over the next couple years from foundations, civic organizations, philanthropists, businesses, and tax return check-offs for the 2012 election – with a larger goal of $50 million beyond that.

The money would be divided appropriately among the eligible gubernatorial candidates who agree to play by the rules. Those rules include not referring by name to an opponent, focusing specifically on the key issues, agreeing to debates, and not spending any other money on paid advertising.

2. “Google accountability.” All government contracts over $10,000 will be on the web with details for all the world to see. With an easy to use search engine, you’ll be able to see who got the contract, what the contract was for and how much money was involved. Sunshine is a great device for spending discipline. If a contract can’t stand the light of day then it shouldn’t have happened in the first place.

3. BRAC Budget Reform. With BRAC Budget Reform we’ll create an independent body of citizens from across North Carolina to present up to 10 government efficiency proposals each budget cycle. This is not your father’s budget reform commission – this one has a hammer unlike any we’ve seen before. Just like in the base closure process, we’ll require the General Assembly to cast an up or down vote – no amendments, no changes. YES or NO.

4. Broadcast Government Meetings Online. I’ll stream government meetings on the Internet and push for C-Span type coverage of legislative sessions and meetings. A dozen states already do it – there’s no reason we can’t too.

5. Tighter Controls for “Revolving Door.” I’ll push for tighter controls on the “revolving door” phenomenon – to stop officials from leaving state service to immediately go work for a business they were assisting in their state job.

6. Stop legislators from soliciting lobbyist on behalf of charities. I’ll fight to stop the practice of legislators soliciting lobbyists for contributions to charities.

These are my ideas that I plan to make happen when I’m Governor. But I’m also interested in your ideas and what you think. North Carolina has been shaken by the corrupting influence of money in politics. Now is the time to do something about it.