Nine minutes

Submitted by bniolet on August 27, 2008 - 10:12am.
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The House overrode Gov. Mike Easley's veto nine minutes after the session started.

Rep. Arthur Williams, who sponsored the wide boat bill, spoke before calling for a vote.

"I think this bill stands on its own merit and the people have spoken out," said Williams, a Democrat from Washington.

Members agreed to cut off debate and the vote to override was 92 in favor and 7 against.

The issue now goes to the Senate.

Correction: A previous version of this post misstated Williams' hometown. Dome regrets the error.

Update: After the vote, four more voters were added bringing the final, official vote tally to 95 to 8.

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Re: Nine minutes

Submitted by Isaac136 on August 27, 2008 - 10:40am.

This was a done deal. The members know exactly what it's about, they don't give a rat's behind about the safety issue, they're going to see a lot of revenue in the coastal communities and they're going to have some fat coffers for their campaigns.

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Re: Nine minutes

Submitted by j1c2kp on August 27, 2008 - 10:25am.

I completely agree with Michael Thompson. And now it's the honorable Marc Basnights turn to follow the money.

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Re: Nine minutes

Submitted by mickey on August 27, 2008 - 10:23am.

Rep. Arthur Williams says "the people have spoken out" on this override of Easley's veto. Which "the people" is he talking about? I am no fan of Mike Easley, but I gotta agree with him on this one. Allowing wide boats to be pulled all over the secondary roads of this state, during the day and/or night, is ludicrous. The Highway Patrol has spoken out against it, and I can't see any good reason to allow it.

This is simply one more example of special-interest legislation winning out in our state Capitol....one more example of "business as usual" in Raleigh. The lawmakers hide behind this "the people have spoken" crap every time. Most of "the people" in this state have no clue what goes on in the legislature, and just accept whatever comes down the pike.

Michael Thompson
Burgaw, NC

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