Hagan hires Tom O’Donnell as new chief of staff – Source: WRAL

RALEIGH, N.C. — U.S. Sen. Kay Hagan says she has hired a former senior official in the Clinton administration as her chief of staff.

The North Carolina Democrat said in a news release that 52-year-old Tom O’Donnell will replace Crystal King who had been chief of staff since Hagan took office in 2009. (Read more)

Senator Kay Hagans New Website

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January 2011

Get information on: New Website January in NC MLK Day State of the Union Banking Committee Service Academy Nominations From Kay As our nation recovers from the shock of the tragic events in Tucson, AZ, I want everyone in North Carolina to know that I remain committed to hosting events that are open to North Carolinians, just like the one Congresswoman Giffords was holding. You elected me to listen to your concerns, and our democracy is based on this type of open dialogue. I appreciate everyone who comes to share their thoughts with me at "Conversations with Kay" events in their communities. My family and I continue to pray for the victims of this senseless tragedy and for the recovery of those who were injured. This month, I was proud to call for bipartisan seating during the State of the Union. It’s my belief that Democrats and Republicans must put aside partisan differences and work together to tackle the critical issues that face our nation. I sat with North Carolina Republican Representatives Sue Myrick and Renee Ellmers during the President’s speech. During his State of the Union address, the President talked about job creation, my No. 1 priority in the 112th Congress, and the importance of reducing our nation’s debt. He called for a five-year freeze on non-security discretionary spending, which I support. We need to end business-as-usual, reckless government spending in Washington. We can’t keep running up the bill on our nation’s credit card, and I am committed to working in a bipartisan way with Republicans and Democrats to cut Washington spending and lower the debt. Sincerely,

Check out Kay’s New Website Click above for a video tour of Senator Hagan’s new website. January in North Carolina Senator Hagan spent January recess travelling across North Carolina to hear from folks in communities around the state. Hagan held "Conversations with Kay" in Edenton, Camden, Manteo, Marion and Lexington. In Northeast North Carolina, Hagan focused on her work to prevent an OLF from coming to the state. Last week, Senator Hagan was thrilled that the Navy announced they were stopping work on a Draft Environmental Impact Statement for the OLF. Hagan believes the Navy should thoroughly evaluate all existing OLFs and military airfields before even considering a new one, which is what Hagan and Senator Burr required the Navy to do in their amendment to last year’s defense authorization bill. She also discussed her efforts to ensure a replacement to Bonner Bridge is built as quickly as possible, as well as protecting the rights of fishermen. Last month, at the urging of Senator Hagan and other members of the North Carolina delegation, the federal government endorsed the replacement of the deteriorating Bonner Bridge, which had been caught up in government red tape. Since coming to the Senate, Hagan has been seeking a solution that will allow the permitting process for the bridge to proceed without additional extensive and time-consuming studies. Last month’s announcement was a major victory toward replacing the Bonner Bridge. In Greenville, Hagan spoke at the State of the Region report about Eastern North Carolina’s economic potential and her priorities for the 112th Congress, which include creating jobs in North Carolina, reducing the federal deficit and supporting our military. Senator Hagan also visited hosiery manufacturer Acme-McCrary in Asheboro, where the historic textile plant and its solar energy partner, FLS Energy, announced the completion of a new 200-panel solar thermal system that is one of the largest in the U.S. This project will save Acme-McCrary money, enhance its economic standing against competitors abroad, and keep jobs in North Carolina. MLK Day North Carolina is home to some of the civil rights era’s most monumental events, including early sit-ins in Durham and the famous "Greensboro Four" sit-in at the Woolworth’s in downtown Greensboro. Senator Hagan spent the holiday celebrating and remembering Dr. King’s vision and courage during prayer services at High Point University, Kings Park International Church in Durham, and the 30th Annual MLK Prayer Breakfast in Asheville. She also visited with middle schoolers in Charlotte who spent the day at Queens University learning about higher education and life on a college campus. Senator Hagan on the State of the Union Address After the State of the Union address, Senator Hagan spoke with "No Labels," a nonpartisan organization that encourages leaders to put labels aside and seek commonsense solutions to our nation’s problems. A Key Committee for North Carolina This month, Senator Hagan was named to serve on the Senate Banking Committee. The committee has jurisdiction over issues ranging from banking to insurance to mass transit. North Carolina is the second largest banking hub in the United States. A former banker, Hagan plans to aggressively pursue policies that will grow our economy and create jobs. She will be focused on encouraging the availability of capital to businesses; ensuring access to safe and affordable credit for families; and making sure our country’s mortgage system is both robust and stable so that hard-working families are able to achieve the American dream of homeownership. Service Academy Nominations In January, Senator Hagan nominated 40 North Carolina students to attend a U.S. Service Academy in 2011. Receiving a nomination from a member of Congress is a significant accomplishment, as the service academies have a highly competitive application process. Each year, Senator Hagan hosts Academy Day for middle and high school students interested in applying to U.S. military service academies. The event is an opportunity for students to meet with cadets and midshipmen from the service academies and learn more about the nomination process through the Senator’s office. Representatives from all five service academies attend the event. The last Academy Day was held in September in Morrisville. For the full list of Hagan’s North Carolina nominees, click here.

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AFTER RIDING HIS COATTAILS AND PROMISING TO WORK WITH HIM, IF ELECTED, SENATOR HAGAN REJECTS OBAMA’S BUDGET

On a recent website entry, US Senator Kay Hagan vowed, ”I ran an open and accessible campaign – to the public and to the press – and I intend to be open and accessible as your U.S. Senator.”

Hagan, an undistinguished five-term state senator and clear longshot when she threw her hat into the ring last year to unseat popular Republican incumbent US Senator Elizabeth Dole, was able to convince powerful black leaders across the state like the Raleigh-Wake Citizens Association, the Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People and Congressman G. K. Butterfield (D-NC-1) that if they endorsed her candidacy, African-Americans would have a friend in Washington. (Wilmington Journal)

Elon NC – Sen. Hagan calls Obama budget ‘unsustainable’

This is quite interesting. Hagan who fired her 2 blacks who worked with here is still doing her thing. With 3 months into the job she is showing black folks who she is for whatever that is worth.

I remember videoing the meeting in Rocky Mount at the Democratic Party Headquarters around September when a young black male was heading up this area and several other surrounding counties. Her son was here as well for that day. I wonder where is the black guy now. Guess I can shoot him an email. C. Dancy II – Publisher

ELON — The budget proposal pushed by President Barack Obama is “completely unsustainable and unacceptable” because it would burden the nation with annual deficits of more than $1 trillion, Sen. Kay Hagan said Saturday.

North Carolina’s junior senator, drawing a contrast with the nation’s top Democrat, said she has been working to limit the growth in non-defense spending. She questioned the Obama plan that the Congressional Budget Office estimated would result in a $1.2 trillion annual deficit even a decade from now. (News & Observer)

Raleigh NC – ”NOT WHAT WE VOTED FOR”

We don’t know why Col. Fred Aikens (US Army ret.) was abruptly fired after just one day from his position with Sen. Kay Hagan’s office, primarily because the Guilford County Democrat isn’t speaking.

We understand why the first-term US senator is not telling the press. As much as we feel we deserve to know everything, no one wants his/her boss or former boss yapping to the media about why he/she was fired. (Wilmington Journal)