face="Arial">North Carolina lawmakers no longer would be able to leave public office and immediately become lobbyists under a bill (S.B. 612) approved by the state Legislature Aug. 24. Under S.B. 612, which has been sent to Gov. Mike Easley (D) for his consideration, a "cooling off" period would be imposed for the first time on public officials in North Carolina before they could become lobbyists. The bill would require that former lawmakers and state officials wait at least six months before working as a lobbyist. The pending lobbying reform bill also would extend lobbying restrictions

The Brennan Center for Justice at New York University School of Law and the Justice at Stake Campaign are teaming up to provide regular snapshots of the television advertising campaigns for and against the confirmation of Judge John Roberts to the U.S. Supreme Court, the two public interest groups announced today. The Brennan Center and Justice at Stake regularly collaborate on analyses of interest group advertising in state Supreme Court elections. The research and analysis will provide valuable insight into messages being employed by interest groups, where resources are being spent, and

The Bush administration yesterday suspended a federal grant to the Silver Ring Thing abstinence program, saying it appears to use tax money for religious activities. Officials at the Department of Health and Human Services ordered the group to submit a "corrective action plan" if it hopes to receive an expected $75,000 grant this year. In a letter to the program director, Harry Wilson, associate commissioner of the Family and Youth Services Bureau, concluded that the project funded with federal dollars "includes both secular and religious components that are not adequately safeguarded."