Panel to look at road woes
Tuesday, October 30th, 2007
By Chris Fitzsimon
Lanny Wilson on group exploring needs, funding
Raleigh | The chairman of a blue-ribbon committee that will examine North Carolina’s transportation funding shortage said Monday he’s going into his job with no preconceived notions about whether higher taxes are part of the solution.
Three top Democrats - Gov. Mike Easley, House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate leader Marc Basnight - announced the creation of the 24-member panel that will scrutinize the road-building challenges facing the state.
State transportation officials have estimated a $65 billion difference over the next two decades between transportation revenues and North Carolina’s highway and public transportation needs over the next two decades.
Some people, including Easley, have been skeptical about the amount.
"Whatever the number is, it’s very large," said Brad Wilson, chief operating officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, who was asked by Easley to lead the 21st Century Transportation Committee.
Wilson said the committee isn’t about offering political cover to Democratic legislators who were unable in the summer to agree how to invigorate flat revenues for roads, while asphalt and other construction expenses soared.
"I think that’s a narrow, cynical view of what our charge is," Wilson said. (more…)
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