It is almost axiomatic that Governor Josh Stein has largely escaped scrutiny from the regional media.
However, there was an interesting episode in Raleigh this past week. A legislative hearing revealed that Stein awarded a huge contract for Hurricane Helene relief to a firm tightly connected with a political contributor:
Legislators’ questions to a panel of officials centered on the selection of Horne LLP as the project management company for the contract worth $81 million related to the $1.4 billion housing reconstruction program funded by the U.S. Housing and Urban Development agency (HUD).
Concerns were expressed about Horne’s past performance in other states, the procurement process in which Horne was selected, and potential conflicts of interest involving Jonathan Krebs, a former Horne managing partner who was tapped by Gov. Josh Stein to be his western North Carolina recovery adviser…
Krebs was questioned about his role in drafting the RFP, for recovery work that led to the selection of Horne but denied direct involvement in vendor selection.
Subcommittee Co-Chair Rep. Brenden Jones (R-Columbus) asked Krebs about political contributions he made in 2023 and 2024.
“You stated your ties with Horne ended in April, but just months after you claimed leaving Horne, you cut $12,800 in checks to Gov. Stein’s campaign,” said Jones. “And then you kicked in another $29,000 this past October to the Democratic Leadership Committee and listed your employer as Horne.
“Then you’re brought into advise recovery and were sitting in the room shaping the contract your old firm wins. Tell me how this is not an example of absolute pay-to-play politics.”
If Stein were a Republican or a conservative, he would be excoriated in the media. But there has been relative silence, of course.
How about the Iron Bar Hotel
Would be a great outcome, Fred. Would love to see it happen to one of the law-breaking socialists– but it hardly ever does, as you know. A new precedent needs to be set.