18
FRIDAY, JUNE 27. 2008
N.C. lawmakers wear many hats
BY DEVIN ROONEY
STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR
The lawmakers in the N.C.
General Assembly are important
state leaders, but many also have
day jobs, so the politicians have
to keep up a challenging juggling
act.
Of course, the way each legisla
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tor handles the challenges of the
job differs.
Some lawmakers are retired,
and most work out flexible busi
ness schedules.
Bill Holmes, spokesman for N.C.
Rep. Joe Hackney. D-Orange, N.C.
House majority leader, said in an
e-mail that many lawmakers work
Carolina Compass
odd hours.
“Many members work jobs
with flexible hours and they work
unusual times, taking advantage of
improving technology to commu
nicate with others. Others just take
a hiatus during session,' he said.
Holmes added in the e-mail that
Hackney works a few days a week
„ at his law firm, and spends week
ends and some evenings working
at his family's cattle farm.
But when the lawmakers have to
fulfill their legislative duties they
spend most of their time in com
mittee meetings, Holmes said in
the e-mail.
"Sessions usually last, at most,
for a couple of hours each day," he
said in an e-mail.
“Most lawmakers spend the bulk
of their time in committee meetings
and meeting with advocates and
constituents to discuss issues."
In order to prepare for legislative
sessions, lawmakers usually talk to
stakeholders and constituents.
Holmes said in an e-mail that
lawmakers sometimes consult with
other state officials.
“They also work with liaisons
from different departments of state
government to find out how a law
would be applied or how it would
change the way they do business,"
he said.
But they also consult with their
staff. The duties of legislative staff
are varied, Holmes said in an e
mail.
They gather information about
the legal implications of bills and
potential fiscal impact.
“Often, they also work with liai
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“Sessions usually
last, at most, for
a couple of hours
each day”
BILL HOLMES, SPOKESMAN FOR REP
JOE HACKNEY
sons from different departments of
state government to find out how
a law would be applied or how it
would change the way they do busi
ness," Holmes said in an e-mail.
In terms of keeping up with the
districts they represent, lawmakers
have various avenues of communi
cation with their constituents.
Holmes said in an e-mail that
many legislators write a weekly
column distributed to constitu
ents.
“They also track happenings
in their communities through
their newspapers and write let
ters of congratulations for special
achievements," he added in an e
mail.
In order to maintain an aware
ness of what is important to their
constituencies, lawmakers also
spend time out and about in their
districts.
“They often take on speaking
engagements to update people at
home and meet regularly with key
decision makers from their com
munities. among other things,’
Holmes said in an e-mail.
Contact the State E? National
Editor at stntdesk@ unc.edu.
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Duke and UNC
working together
Two campuses
collaborate often
BY DEVIN ROONEY
STATE & NATIONAL EDITOR
For many UNC students,
just hearing the name “Duke
University" elicits feelings of
hatred, but the sports rivalry hasn't
stopped collaboration between the
two schools.
One of the most notable con
nections spanning the 9 miles on
Tobacco Road is the Robertson
Scholars Program.
The prestigious scholarship pro
gram gives full scholarships to stu
dents and funds a comprehensive
four-year program.
During the summers, students
travel as a way to supplement the
experience of the school year, and
the program foots the bill.
On top of the perks for scholar
ship winners, the program aims to
benefit the larger communities at
both campuses.
The program runs a shuttle that
travels between the campuses dur
ing the academic year.
Keith LawTence, Duke University
spokesman, said the shuttle bus
acts as a bridge.
"The bus ... brings us together,"
he said.
The program also funds projects
that aim to build connections and
benefit Duke and UNC.
The program funds the proj
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“(The rivalry) is one
of those inexplicable,
almost defining
experiences at Duke
and UNC.”
CHRIS HOPPER, ROBERTSON SCHOLAR
ects with one-year grants of up to
$5,000. All students, faculty and
staff at both campuses are eligible
for the grants.
Robertson Scholar Chris Hopper
co-founded a magazine that covers
issues pertinent to both campuses,
with staff from both schools, called
Rival Magazine.
When the magazine was first
launching, Hopper said the rival
ry between the two schools is an
essential part of the college experi
ence for students at both schools.
“(The rivalry) is one of those inex
plicable, almost defining experiences
at Duke and UNC," Hopper said.
Brint Markle, co-founder of the
magazine, also said UNC and Duke
are intertwined. .
‘Just because that separation
exists, it’s important to realize that
they are more similar than differ
ent. Duke wouldn't be Duke with
out UNC."
Other collaborations between
the schools are through the aca
demic departments, such as the
Latin American studies depart
ments.
In 1990, the departments founded
the Consortium in Latin American
& Caribbean Studies at UNC-
Chapel Hill and Duke University
that aims to increase opportunities
for students and professors, as well
as raise public awareness.
The schools also coordinate the
Duke-Carolina Student Basketball
Marathon, which is a year-long
fundraising effort which donates
money to an organization that uses
sports therapy to help children
with life-threatening illnesses.
It culminates in a day-long bas
ketball competition with teams
from both schools.
Staff Writer Lily Kuo
contributed reporting
Contact the State C? National
Editor at stntdesk(j£ unc.edu.