Under the Dome reports that an executive order signed Monday by Gov. Bev Perdue requiring state board appointees to complete “a detailed, two-page application … disclos[ing] criminal conduct, conflicts of interest, references and other valuable information” would in fact leave the public in the dark about the history of these applicants.
“Legal counsel has advised that the new application ? as was the prior application ? will be a part of the personnel file that is confidential,” said Chrissy Pearson, Perdue’s press secretary.
“That means someone with a criminal background, for example, could become a political appointee and the public would have a difficult time obtaining that information. Nor would they know if a major fundraiser, political party official or powerful special interest recommended an appointee,” Dome continues.
Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger, R-Rockingham, has promised to introduce legislation opening up state personnel laws.
