State Senate leader Marc Basnight wants to bring the legislature back to Raleigh to override Gov. Mike Easley’s veto of a bill allowing wider boat trailers on state roads at night.
Easley vetoed the bill on Sunday, saying it would be dangerous to let 9.5 foot wide boat and trailers travel after dark on roads and bridges as narrow as 18 feet. He warned of collisions with other wide boats, and with school buses on pre-dawn routes, reports Bruce Siceloff.
"He doesn’t impress me on this issue,” Basnight said Monday. “I would certainly be for an override. I believe the bill is valuable to the economy, and it’s a very safe, well-constructed piece of legislation.”
The measure originated in the House, so Basnight is waiting for House Speaker Joe Hackney to make the first move. A spokesman said Hackney is checking to see whether House members want to come back to Raleigh for an override vote or let the veto stand.
Read more after the jump.
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If legislators decided to come back to Raleigh, there would be little doubt about the outcome. The original measure passed the House by 108-5 and the Senate by 43-0. Supporters said the measure could keep North Carolina from losing popular fishing tournaments, and Basnight said it would help the state protect boat-manufacturing jobs.
Democratic Rep. Arthur Williams of Washington, N.C., sponsored the bill to relax state limits on the width of boats that fishermen and other recreational boaters can haul on state roads. It would allow boats up to 9.5 feet wide, day or night — and up to 10 feet wide during daylight hours only.
Current law OKs boats up to 8.5 feet wide, day or night, without permits. Motorists now can get permits to haul boats up to 10 feet wide — but not on holidays or Sundays or at night.
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Re: If it isn't pandering, what is it?
Usually it's whatever Marc wants, Marc gets. Can't wait to see if he gets his way again.