The bill given tentative approval Thursday would prevent the gas tax from going above 37.5 cents per gallon through June 2013. The gas tax is recalculated automatically twice annually based on wholesale gas prices. The current tax of 38.9 cents was already expected to fall come July.

 

The bill also directs additional ferry tolls required in last year's budget not to be collected. Gov. Beverly Perdue blocked those collections in February with an executive order, but Republicans said she didn't have authority to do that.

 

In early may, the tolls became a political issue in a state legislative primary in eastern North Carolina. Critics said it was unfair to impose tolls on local residents who use ferries to get to and from work while leaving several routes frequented by tourists toll-free.

 

A final House vote will come next week.

 

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Additional information from SGRToday.com