Rep. Wright, others paid despite absence

CORRECTION: State senators Katie Dorsett, D-Guilford; Eddie Goodall, R-Union; and Jim Jacumin, R-Burke, did not miss the entire Sept. 10-11 General Assembly session. All three cast votes on Sept. 10. They were listed as absent on Sept. 11. An article Friday in the Star-News incorrectly reported their attendance.

Raleigh | State Rep. Thomas Wright and 14 other state lawmakers who were absent for last week's special General Assembly session were paid just like those who attended.

On Thursday, the General Assembly payroll office sent checks for $208 plus mileage reimbursement to 165 of the state's 170 lawmakers for the Sept. 10-11 special session. Five legislators declined their per diem and mileage payment, said Joe Goettee, the legislature's payroll administrator. The legislature's policy is to pay lawmakers unless they ask not to be paid, Goettee said.

Wright, a Democrat in his eighth term, was the only Wilmington-area lawmaker who didn't attend the session. He has not returned messages left on his mobile phone.

During the session, lawmakers considered Gov. Mike Easley's veto of a business incentive bill and approved a new proposal worth $20 million greater than the plan the governor had vetoed.

Two Raleigh-area lawmakers who did attend - Reps. Grier Martin and Ty Harrell, both Democrats - asked not to be paid.

According to final vote tallies from Sept. 11, 11 representatives and six senators were absent.

Reps. Jeff Barnhart, R-Cabarrus, and Rick Killian, R-Mecklenburg, were absent and asked not to be paid. Rep. Karen Ray, R-Iredell, missed the session's second day and asked to be paid only for her attendance on Sept. 10, Goettee said.

Checks were sent to Wright and these other lawmakers who were listed as absent on Sept. 11: Rep. Becky Carney, D-Mecklenburg; Rep. Jerry Dockham, R-Davidson; Rep. Phil Haire, D-Jackson; Rep. Hugh Holliman, D-Davidson; Rep. George Holmes, R-Yadkin; Rep. Edgar Starnes, R-Caldwell; Rep. Russell Tucker, D-Duplin; Rep. R. Tracy Walker, R-Wilkes; Sen. Katie Dorsett, D-Guilford; Sen. Eddie Goodall, R-Union; Sen. Malcolm Graham, D-Mecklenburg; Sen. Jim Jacumin, R-Burke, and Sen. Clark Jenkins, D-Edgecombe.

Mark Schreiner: (919) 835-1434

mark.schreiner@starnewsonline.com