According to a statement released today by State Senator Julia Boseman (D – New Hanover), she will not be running again for her seat.

Here is her statement:

Today, I am announcing that I will not seek re-election to the North Carolina Senate.

For nearly a decade, I have had the honor and privilege to represent the people of New Hanover County–first as a County Commissioner and for the last five years as a Senator. When thinking back on my time in the legislature, there have been many successes—especially supporting our classrooms, creating jobs in our film industry and our port, and helping UNC -Wilmington and Cape Fear Community College grow. But if asked for my greatest accomplishment, I would say it was doing what I could to help the vulnerable: protecting victims of domestic violence, protecting our children from sexual predators, and protecting kids—all kids—from bullying.

Being a parent has been my guiding force as a Senator and it is as a parent that I have made this decision. With a baby on the way in January, I feel that it is more important than ever to be close to home. Wilmington will always be my home and while I will be leaving the Senate, I will continue to work for the people of New Hanover County in other ways. I thank you all for the trust you have given me and I will keep working throughout 2010 to make sure that we are well-represented in the North Carolina Senate.

BOSTON – Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick supports changing state law to allow him to appoint an interim successor to Sen. Edward Kennedy’s seat.

Unlike most states, a successor to a vacant U.S. Senate seat in Massachusetts is chosen by special election five months after the opening, not appointed by the governor.

In a recent letter to lawmakers, Kennedy asked that the law be changed to allow the governor to appoint someone during the course of the election – provided that person pledges not to run for the seat.

In an interview Wednesday on WBUR-FM, Patrick called the proposal “entirely reasonable” and said he would sign the bill if it reached his desk.

Legislative leaders have not said if they support the idea.

RALEIGH, N.C.  – Colleagues of the late Sen. Vernon Malone recalled him as a man who hated prejudice and poverty and wasn’t afraid to fight to improve the lot for everyone in North Carolina.

The Senate approved a resolution Thursday honoring Malone, a Wake County Democrat who died in April at the age of 77.
   
Malone was a four-term senator who formerly served on the Wake County school board while it went through a contentious merger with the Raleigh city schools. He served as a county commissioner from 1984 until his election to the Senate in 2002.

Current senators were emotional in floor speeches as they remembered his sense of humor and pointed interest in improving public education.
 
Like the Senate, the House approved unanimously the same resolution later Thursday. County school board while it went through a contentious merger with the Raleigh city schools. He served as a county commissioner from 1984 until his election to the Senate in 2002.

Current senators were emotional in floor speeches as they remembered his sense of humor and pointed interest in improving public education.

Like the Senate, the House approved unanimously the same resolution later Thursday.

PPP looked at seven potential challengers to Richard Burr last week and found the incumbent leading them all by varying degrees:

-He has an 11 point advantage over Elizabeth Edwards (46-35) and Dan Blue (44-33)

-He has a 13 point lead over Richard Moore (47-34)

-He has a 16 point edge on Bob Etheridge (47-31) and Heath Shuler (44-28)

-He has a 19 point margin over Walter Dalton (48-29)

We also tested Cal Cunningham, providing a two sentence biography of him as part of the question to compensate for his low name recognition, and found him trailing by just eight points (42-34). That’s an important reminder that having a good story to tell is more important for potential challengers to Burr than initial name id, a lesson that was learned well in the laborious Democratic recruitment saga of 2008 that ended up with a winner in Kay Hagan.

This is also an appropriate spot for a reminder that when we tested Mike McIntyre against Burr last month he trailed by just five points.

All of these potential candidates hold Burr under the 50% mark generally considered safe for an incumbent.

There is some good news for Burr in the numbers. He holds at least a double digit lead among independents in every one of the potential match ups, continuing a trend PPP is finding with those voters across the country that may indicate some folks will be voting for divided government next year to keep Democrats from consolidating too much power.

Pulling together all the information we have, here’s the state of the race: when Roy Cooper decided not to run Democrats lost the only candidate who would have made this an instant tossup. But Richard Burr is still in a vulnerable position pretty comparable to where Elizabeth Dole found herself at this time two years ago. But whoever the Democratic standard bearer ends up being will have to be molded into a formidable candidate, as Hagan was, rather than just inherently starting out as one. Now Democrats are going to have to make a choice- do they get a Shuler or McIntyre who have big bank accounts and a good position from which to raise more or do they go more towards a Cunningham who might need more help raising money but can run as an outsider in an election cycle where not having any Washington taint could be a very good thing? It will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

WASHINGTON  – Illegal immigrants won’t be entitled to medical insurance under the health legislation Congress is working on, a leading lawmaker said Thursday.

Sen. Max Baucus, D-Mont., said the health overhaul would cover nearly everyone – 94 percent to 96 percent of the population – but not undocumented workers. Baucus is chairman of the Finance Committee, which has taken the lead in drafting the sweeping legislation.

“We aren’t going to cover undocumented workers because that’s too politically explosive,” Baucus said during a session with reporters, in which he previewed legislation he expects to introduce by mid-June.

President Barack Obama wants Congress to revamp health care this year, and Baucus says he’s confident a bill can pass with support from both parties.

Baucus said his bill would build on the current system in which employers, government and individuals share in paying health care costs. It’s likely to include a requirement that individuals get insurance coverage, either through an employer, a government plan or on their own. He said the plan will include “incentives” – and perhaps requirements – for employers to help pay.

People would be able to keep the coverage they already have. But those who can’t find coverage now – and people who are looking for something better – would be able to buy a plan through a new kind of purchasing pool called an “exchange.” Consumers would have a choice of private insurance plans, and most likely, a government-sponsored one as well.

Plans in the exchange would have to offer at least a standard benefits package and wouldn’t be able to discriminate against people with health problems. The government would provide subsidies for low- and middle-income households who can’t afford the whole premium.

Baucus didn’t say how much his plan would cost, but outside estimates have put the price tag in the range of $1.5 trillion over ten years. Most of the money would be raised by making the health care system more efficient, said Baucus. Government programs like Medicare would start paying for the quality of care, not the number of tests and procedures that patients get.

Nonetheless, Baucus said tax increases will be needed to pay the upfront costs of expanding coverage. One of his main revenue-raising options is at odds with Obama’s preferences. Baucus wants to limit the tax-free status of job-based health care benefits to raise money and rein in health care spending. Obama says he’s opposed to that, but he’s left the door open to changing his mind.

Baucus said coverage for all will probably have to be phased in over a number of years – he wouldn’t say how many. Even when the legislation is fully implemented some people may still be uninsured.

“The goal is for everybody to have coverage but, by definition, there’s a few who slip through the cracks,” he said.

Nearly 50 million people now lack health insurance, or about 16 percent of the population.

Baucus said his plan would reduce the share who are uninsured to around 4 percent to 6 percent of the population. That could still amount to 15 million to 20 million uninsured.

Baucus said he’s looking at ways to automatically enroll people who try to avoid the requirement to get health insurance. That includes signing them up if they go to the emergency room, or requiring that school children show proof of insurance coverage.

Even though illegal immigrants won’t be able to get benefits under the legislation, they can still get health care at hospital emergency rooms and through federally funded community health centers.

RALEIGH, N.C. — The viewing will take place today for State Sen. Vernon Malone of Wake County.

The 77-year-old died of natural causes at his Raleigh home Saturday.

Malone served most recently as co-chairman of the education budget subcommittee and had represented District 14 in the General Assembly for four terms.

The Shaw University graduate held public offices in Wake County over three decades. As school board chairman, he presided over the merger of Raleigh city schools and Wake County public schools in 1976.

He served as a Wake County commissioner from 1984 until his election to the Senate in 2002.

Senator Malone’s viewing will be from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. at the Lea funeral home in Raleigh.

The funeral will take place Thursday at Martin Street Baptist Church at noon.

Statements from officials regarding Senator Malone and his service:

NCDP Chair David Young:

“Senator Vernon Malone was a giant oak in making Raleigh – the City of Oaks – Wake County, and North Carolina the models of progress, diversity, and forward-thinking vision that they are becoming. His quiet strength and dignity were his hallmarks and should be an inspiration to all of us as we seek to carry on his unfinished work.

Leigh and I, as well as all North Carolina Democrats, mourn his sudden passing and offer our thoughts and prayers to his family.”

Senate President Pro Tempore Marc Basnight:

“It is hard to put into words how much Vernon Malone meant to the North Carolina Senate, and to everyone who knew him.  He had prepared himself for service early in life and he believed in a better opportunity for all.  He was a man for all people and a man of integrity and he did not just seek to help those people with talents, he loved all people.  He was such a big man in the way he lived his life – the concern, the love and compassion he had for people was special.

I can think of no one, nowhere in this state who meets the description of what Vernon was as a person.  He was a wonderful friend to me and a real leader in the Senate, and I will miss him a great deal.  What I knew of him as a person, not to mention the contributions he has made throughout his life, cannot be replaced.  It is a huge loss, not just for the people of his Senate district, but for all the people of North Carolina.”

Gov. Bev Perdue:

“Vernon Malone was one of my closest personal friends and was a powerful voice for North Carolina’s future. He fundamentally believed that every kid should have a shot at success, regardless of their background and dedicated his life to making that belief a reality.”

Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton:

“The Senate, the people of Wake County and the State have lost a great advocate for education and for the future of our State.  Throughout his life, Senator Malone was committed to public service and to making our State a better place.  I am honored and proud to have served alongside Vernon Malone in the Senate, and the prayers of the entire State are with his family during this time of great loss.”

Harold Webb, chair of the Wake County Commission:

“Senator Vernon Malone was a man of great character. He gave his heart and soul to helping other people. He worked every day to build a stronger community. He believed in working in the trenches to uplift the lives of those who could not help themselves. He believed in the value of education and he dedicated his life to making sure people of all races had the opportunity to get an education so they could live a better life. He served admirably as Chairman of the Wake County School Board, Chairman of the Wake County Commissioners and as a three-term State Senator. As Chairman of the Wake County Board, I extend my condolences to his family and friends. We have lost a fine public servant.”

Lyndy Brown, vice chair of the Wake County Commission:

“Senator Vernon Malone was a pillar of public service in Wake County. He charted a path of progress when times were tough. He provided stable and reliable leadership on our school board, our county commission and in the State Senate. He was a loving servant of God, a faithful husband and father, and a tireless public servant who lit the torch of leadership for the African American community and all of Wake County.”

North Carolina Legislative Black Caucus:

“[Members] were deeply saddened to learn of the sudden death of Senator Vernon Malone.  I worked with the Senator as many of my colleagues did on various projects and considered him a good friend.   He was first class.

“He was admired for his dedication to public service, higher education, and the overall welfare of the citizens of our state and the communities he served in Wake County. Having served four terms in the NC Senate, Sen. Malone was a remarkable man leading by example in his quest for equality, better education, and a commitment to excellence.

“The NC Legislative Black Caucus and citizens of the state of North Carolina mourn with his family the loss of a brilliant man; gentle in nature and humble in spirit.

“We will resolve to honor the memory of a life based on faith, integrity, hard work, & purpose; a life that he himself lived everyday.”

CHICAGO – Former Gov. Rod Blagojevich filled in as a radio talk show host Wednesday, using the mike to complain he was “hijacked” from office and blasting the new governor’s plans for an income tax increase.

Blagojevich had a two-hour gig on WLS-AM, filling in on the “Don Wade & Roma Morning Show” because the regular hosts are off this week.

Blagojevich, thrown out of office in January and still facing potential criminal charges, is a talk show novice and he acknowledged it, stumbling over his title and quipping that hosting was “harder than being governor.”

But he quickly got more comfortable as the show wore on. He talked on the air with CNN’s D. L. Hughley, ABC News’ Ann Compton and Second City performers who do a comedy spoof on him.

Blagojevich used the show as a platform to criticize the lawmakers who kicked him out of office after his arrest on federal corruption charges. He suggested the lawmakers really just wanted him out of the way so they could raise the income tax.

“I was hijacked from office. … It was a political fix and I predicted that,” Blagojevich said.

His successor, Gov. Pat Quinn, wants to increase the income tax rate by 50 percent to fix an $11.5 billion deficit. Blagojevich said it’s the worst thing Illinois could do because it would hurt
small businesses.

He took comments from callers who seemed to agree, and wound up the show by thanking listeners “for giving me a chance to have been your governor for six years. … I wish I was still there so I could fight for you.”

Federal prosecutors have until April 7 to get a grand jury indictment or seek more time. Said Blagojevich: “I’m going to trust in the truth, and as it says in the Bible, the truth shall set you free.”

The former governor also took a moment to plug the book he’s writing, but admitted it isn’t coming easily. He joked about being only a few pages into it.

Senator Kay Hagan talks about the stimulus package, her challenges in office and immigration.

NEW YORK  – A freshman state senator sworn in to office despite allegations he slashed his girlfriend’s face with broken glass in a jealous rage has been indicted on domestic assault charges, prosecutors said Monday.

A grand jury in Queens indicted Hiram Monserrate on three counts of second-degree felony assault and three counts of third-degree misdemeanor assault. Arraignment is expected later this week. He faces seven years in prison if convicted on the most serious charges.

Monserrate, who was in Albany on Monday for a legislative session, issued a statement saying he did not commit a crime.

“I’ve said all along this was accident. The district attorney’s politically motivated decision to pursue this case doesn’t change the fact that this was an accident,” he said.
 
The 41-year-old former police officer was arrested after Karla Giraldo’s face was slashed on Dec. 19 at his New York City home. The gash over her eye required 25 stitches. Both said the incident
was an accident.

Monserrate told police he tripped while holding a glass of water and that the glass accidentally hit Giraldo.

But authorities say evidence, including surveillance videos, painted a picture of a heated argument and a frightened, bleeding woman in distress.

According to the police report, Giraldo, 29, initially said she was assaulted, then changed her account after learning officers planned to arrest Monserrate. She later told police she did not wish to press charges.

After a closed-door meeting with fellow Democrats in Albany Monday, Senate Majority Leader Malcolm Smith said Monserrate asked to temporarily step down as chairman of the Consumer Affairs Committee. Smith had already withheld Monserrate’s $12,500 stipend until the criminal case concluded. Monserrate will retain all his other duties and collect his $79,500 base pay.