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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Friday, 17 May 2013 14:28 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — If North Carolina ever puts toll booths on an existing interstate, the House still wants to give motorists the option to drive the route for free.
The chamber voted unanimously Thursday for a measure that targets potential tolling on Interstate 95 but would apply to all current interstates.
The bill says the state can't collect tolls on these interstates unless it maintains the same number of non-toll lanes before the tolling.
Rep. Jeff Collins of Rocky Mount is an I-95 toll critic and bill sponsor. He says the bill envisions toll lanes in which users would pay to drive at a higher speed limit than in non-toll lanes.
The bill now goes to the Senate. The state Department of Transportation is holding public hearings seeking comment upgrades to I-95.
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Last Updated on Friday, 17 May 2013 14:29 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:45 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A bill abolishing regional economic development commissions has received initial approval from the North Carolina Senate.
The bill tentatively passed the Senate Monday with opposition from rural lawmakers who argued the bill cedes power to Raleigh at the expense of poor regions.
The bill dissolves the seven regional economic development commissions and transfers their functions to the Department of Commerce, which will send at least one employee to work directly in one of eight newly created zones.
Several other departments would also have to send at least one employee.
Republican Sen. Harry Brown of Jacksonville said his bill helps remove an ineffective layer of bureaucracy from business recruitment and force department officials to work outside of Raleigh.
The bill will return for a last vote before heading to the House. |
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:46 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:38 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A North Carolina Senate bill invalidating some local government and community college smoking rules that go farther than state law is up for a committee vote.
The bill heads to the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee Tuesday. The bill leaves intact a local government's authority to bar smoking in state buildings and public places but ends their authority to enact their own laws in outdoor settings.
The bill also applies to community college grounds and at outdoor college events.
North Carolina, the state perhaps most associated with the tobacco industry, has lagged behind others in passing smoking bans. But the state outlawed smoking in enclosed areas of almost all restaurants, bars and other businesses in 2010.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:39 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:02 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — House Republicans want to prevent North Carolina city and county governments from collecting union dues from workers and requiring local employers to assume responsibilities related to pollution generated by their employees.
The bill was approved largely along party lines Monday night despite criticism by Democrats. The measure appears to mimic in part a law approved last year preventing the North Carolina Association of Educators and some other groups from having voluntary member dues deducted directly from teacher paychecks.
A judge later struck down the law.
A legislator and environmental group say another part of the bill would appear to block ordinances like what Durham approved that would direct local employers to encourage employee car pools or transit use or face monetary penalties.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:39 |
