Fitzsimon: Moore plan ' a decent start'

ryanteaguebeckwith — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:41:23 -0500

Chris Fitzsimon says Richard Moore's roads reform plan is "a decent start."

The N.C. Policy Watch columnist applauds the idea of banning fundraising by members of the state Board of Transportation. But he also cautions that it leaves open the possibility that major fundraisers could designate someone else for a spot, as has been done in the past.

He says Moore's plan to make the board less political could face other obstacles:

Moore's proposals to use more objective criteria to evaluate projects and an end to discretionary funds for legislative leaders make more sense, but they wouldn't address all the problems either. Lawmakers could still insert special provisions in the budget to fund road projects, which they have done in recent years.

Still, he says he gives Moore credit "for starting the discussion."

"It may be true that politics will always be part of transportation decisions, but a determined governor could substantially reduce it," he writes.

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Fitzsimon: Moore plan ' a decent start'