Six nominated for Progress NC's 2011 Jones Street Heisman Trophy

Please visit our Facebook page to vote for the winner, or email us at admin@progressnc.org with your choice! 

Raleigh -- Progress NC today announced the six finalists for the 2011 Jones Street Heisman Trophy. The Jones Street Heisman is given each year to the politician(s) with the most outstanding example of penalty-worthy conduct on the political playing field. Whether you cheer for the Pack or Pirates, the Deacs or Devils, we think all Monday morning quarterbacks can agree these politicians did the most to hold back the line of progress in the Tar Heel State. 

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Rep. Glen Bradley for the best Hail Mary pass of the legislative session. His attempt to have the state issue its own currency might have failed, but the attempt was awe-inspiring.

Senate Republicans for a game-changing fumble at the goal line that lost North Carolina the Continental Tire project and more than 1,000 jobs. The Governor was behind the project, as was Speaker Tillis and the House, but Senate Republicans scuttled the project after they couldn't agree to an incentive package.

Rep. Ric Killian (at right) for his attempt to block $545 million in federal money for rail transit that will create 4,800 direct jobs. 

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Rep. Marilyn Avila (left) for carrying the ball for cable giants like Time Warner on a bill to limit community broadband networks. Why exactly did halfback, uh, bill sponsor Avila, from Wake County, feel the need to limit internet options for rural underserved areas of North Carolina? The $1,000 check from the Time Warner PAC a month before filing the bill surely didn't hurt.

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House Speaker and 2014 US Senate candidate Thom Tillis for telling voters on his statewide town hall tour that NC is not spending enough money on early childhood education, despite the fact that he's done a masterful job punting on this issue in 2011 - ignoring the 6,000 kids shut out of NC Pre-K by budget cuts and refusing to take up the issue in any of his four "special" sessions.

Gang of Five NC House Democrats for dashing offsides to vote with the Republican majority to pass a state budget that slashed funding for Pre-K and Medicaid recipients and forced the lay-offs of 1,800 teachers and teacher assistants.

Please visit our Facebook page to vote for the winner, or email us at admin@progressnc.org with your choice! No confusing computer rankings or BCS controversy necessary. You have until noon on Monday, December 12 to vote. The results will be announced on Tuesday, December 13.