The Journal wonders if the post-Jim Black climate in Raleigh really has changed:

Legislators have shown some understanding that the climate has changed. Reports out of Raleigh indicate that they are paying for much of their own entertainment these days, in contrast to just a year ago when lobbyists paid most of those bills. There are new ethics rules and a more rigorous personal-interest disclosure system.

But, as the activities of the Legislative Black Caucus demonstrate so vividly, many legislators still don’t understand the concept of public service for the public good. The leaders of the black caucus are not alone in failing to understand that it is a conflict of interest and a betrayal of the public trust for public officials to raise money from the people who lobby them and then use that money for their own personal purposes.

…..while the N&R’s Lorraine Ahearn takes a look at the ‘high-end venues’ frequented by Black and his buddy Michael Decker.

And get this:

But in one instance, according to prosecutors, Black turned the tables and visited a chiropractor’s office. The visit was “under the guise of a sore shoulder,” according to the pleading, but who knows? Maybe the speaker hurt himself with all that bending and reaching for envelopes under the stalls.

Kind of reminds you of ‘The Sopranos’ when Tony and Uncle Junior did business in the doctor’s office.