Lieutenant Governor Walter Dalton has launched his bid to replace Gov. Bev Perdue, who earlier today said she will not run for re-election.

He announced his intentions in this prepared statement to the media:

“I believe that our future economy and better jobs depend on our historic commitment to education. After all, education is in North Carolina’s DNA – it's what sets us apart and it's what will determine our future. However, you can’t make progress if you are pointed in the wrong direction. Pat McCrory and the Republican leadership are facing the wrong way by cutting teachers, reducing scholarships and abandoning economic development. They are doing lasting damage to our state. I’ve dedicated my career to improving education at all levels and making North Carolina a great place to do business.

“Today, I'm announcing that I am running for Governor. Lucille and I love this state and we understand tough political races. I am the only candidate who has run and won statewide and I look forward to waging an aggressive campaign. Elections are about choices. As a state we must decide the direction in which we will turn. With this campaign, I choose to look ahead to a brighter future.  I choose progress.  I choose a future where public education is the foundation of our economy.”

Republican legislators have introduced a bill that would forbid the use of foreign law in North Carolina courts. The bill is aimed keeping Islamic law out of North Carolina courts. It may set legal scholars on a futile search to find examples where Shari'a law was ever used in a courtroom here.

But The N&O has previously written about an attempt by a wealthy, politically powerful company to use Islamic law in federal court.

The instigator? None other than by Erik Prince, stalwart Republican, conservative Christian, major GOP donor and former Navy SEAL. Read our story here.

Prince owned the military firm formerly known as Blackwater. Prince and Blackwater's aviation company were sued by the widows of three men killed in a plane crash in Afghanistan. The widows said the plane lacked basic safety equipment like radar and GPS, and the pilots had failed to take the basic step of planning a flight route.

Blackwater's argument for using the Islamic law in Afghanistan: "Afghan law is largely religion-based and evidences a strong concern for ensuring moral responsibility, and deterring violations of obligations within its borders."

More importantly, Shari'a law does not hold a company responsible for the actions of employees performed within the course of their work. Had Islamic law been applied, the lawsuit would have been dismissed.

A federal judge denied Blackwater's request to use Islamic law. Blackwater settled with the widows out of court.

Analysts with UBS Investment Research downgraded Martin Marietta Materials in a new report on fears that Republicans in Washington will scale back the nation's road building efforts as they seek to reduce spending.

UBS changed its rating from a buy to neutral on the Raleigh company, which produces rock, gravel and other materials used to build roads, subdivisions and commercial buildings.

"We see upside more limited as we think the expectation that 2011 begins a slow construction recovery is now generally priced in, and investors may not be prepared for continued political battles over road spending and other headwinds," the report states. "... we continue to like MLM shares for the longer term leverage to U.S. construction recovery."

The report cited House Republicans release of a draft of revisions to the House rules that would remove the requirement that highway trust fund dollars be used specifically for road building and maintenance.

Much of Martin Marietta's business is tied to residential, commercial and government construction projects, which makes it a barometer of the broader economy.

Australia's Hungry Beast previews our President's entourage with a very cool and informative video graphic.

Wendell commissioners say they want more detail in the budget process.

Wendell race figures to be the marquee event this fall in eastern Wake County.

The news media spent much of the summer focusing on public gatherings where people denounced plans to overhaul the nation's healthcare system. A number of forums featuring people who think an overhaul is long overdue, and who generally support the Obama administration's efforts, also drew coverage.

We covered several in the Triangle, but missed a couple. Thus, we heard from forces both on the right and the left about "media conspiracies." We are keenly aware that some studiously count inches given to the "antis" and the "pros." We strive to be fair, but we don't think that merely keeping up with who is for, or against, something is adequately doing our jobs.  In fact, we have a long history of covering the healthcare system and our coverage of the most recent overhaul effort has gone far beyond public demonstrations.

We will continue to strive for depth in our reporting on this issue, including following the action in Washington and examining the impact on local healthcare providers and the region's industries.

We do believe that hearing from individuals who will be affected by any changes, or no change, is also an important element of our coverage. We will soon begin a series featuring Triangle residents discussing healthcare and the question of whether a revamp is needed. We did not approach these people based on assumptions about their politics or where we think they might come down on the question of reform. 

Rather, we looked for people from a wide variety of life circumstances and occupations. We asked them to talk about their personal situations, their concerns about the healthcare system and what specific changes, if any, would effectively address their concerns. One of the first to be featured is the owner of a small business.  Others include physicians, insurance and hospital administrators, seniors on Medicare, people who lost health insurance with the loss of a job, people who have private insurance through work, and people who have chronic illnesses. 

We think these personal stories will enlighten us all.

We welcome your feedback. 

Linda Williams

Senior Editor/News 

One Durham politician at least has taken a stand on visual litter ­­-- campaign signs, that is.

Rob Griffin with Scientific Properties wrote the mayor and council members to complain about candidates' signs in the public right-of-way near his firm's Venable Center at Pettigrew and Roxboro streets. Griffin said the signs' placement suggested that Scientific Properties is supporting those candidates, which is not the case: “We, as a company, remain neutral.”

Councilman Eugene Brown answered: “There is legally no reason why we should allow political signs, including mine, to visually pollute our city. … There is a propensity for such signs to linger far after the election is over, especially by those candidates who lost. As a result, the public could be forced to live with such a nuisance for months. Denver [Colo., where Brown's twin brother is a city councilman] only allows home owners to display political signs, hence the term, yard sign. In my judgment, this demonstrates real grass root support and not just the ability of a candidate to flood our streets, landscapes and parks with personal advertisements. Here's to a cleaner environment! Now all we have to do is convince my colleagues of the folly of the status quo.”

Brown, of course, is not up for re-election this year.

The filing period is over. See who's running.