The North Carolina Association of Educators’ Political Action Committee recently announced its endorsements in the 2008 legislative races. Among those receiving endorsement is Steve Goss of Senate District 45. “We are delighted to recommend Steve Goss to our membership,” stated Sheri Strickland, President of the NCAE. “Steve Goss has demonstrated a genuine commitment to public schools and to public school employees. NCAE, the largest professional organization of educators in North Carolina, recommends candidates to its 70,000 members after an extensive interview and evaluation process. “Our process is locally driven,” Strickland explained. “Individual teachers and other school employees in local communities determine whom the Association will support.”

No injuries were reported this week when a car hit a school bus that had stopped to pick up a child, according to Wilkes County school officials. The wreck happened about 5:30 a.m. Monday in the eastbound lane of N.C. 268 when a 2002 Chrysler PT Cruiser ran into the back of a bus that travels to various schools. Steve Triplett, the director of transportation for Wilkes County Schools, said that the bus’ stop-arm was displayed and the lights were working. A student, a monitor and a driver were aboard. Another student was walking toward the bus with his father when the wreck happened. The front of the car ran under the back of the bus, Triplett told the Winston-Salem Journal. The bus was able to continue its route after the wreck. The name of the car’s driver was not available from the N.C. Highway Patrol.

Congresswoman Virginia Foxx voiced strong opposition yesterday against a new bill that will keep North Carolina from receiving revenue from new offshore oil drilling. Instead of going to the state, all revenue from new offshore drilling leases will go straight to the federal government. Foxx said the new bill would lock North Carolina out of a share of the $2.6 trillion in tax revenue from new drilling off North Carolina shores. Foxx called this a “sham.”
Gulf coast states like Texas and Louisiana currently receive a share of revenues from offshore drilling, which last year amounted to around $9 billion. Foxx said the new 290-page bill was introduced just before midnight Monday, only hours before it was scheduled for a vote. Foxx reported it does not allow amendments and the bill was written behind closed doors without going through the normal committee process.