GOP legislative leaders were relentless last year in their determination to have passengers pay a bigger share of operating costs for the state ferry system. But since February, when Democratic Gov. Bev Perdue announced a moratorium on collecting new and increased tolls, Republicans have not been in any hurry to take action that would implement the tolls -- which were supposed to start April 1 -- quickly (see today's story with reader comments). [Update: Legislators back repeal of ferry tolls.]
The tolls were ordered in state budget legislation for five of the state's seven ferry routes, including two commuter ferries that have always operated without tolls. Republican legislators in coastal counties have heard more protest about the tolls than they expected, from voters who will decide whether to re-elect them this year.
Today the legislature's joint transportation oversight committee is scheduled to consider a proposal to postpone the new tolls for two years, giving coastal residents more time to recover from the effects of the recession and Hurricane Irene. Several Republicans expressed sympathy for the idea in a recent meeting before committee leaders cut off debate.
Republicans say it is up to Perdue to heed the advice of Democratic Attorney General Roy Cooper, who says she had no authority to block collection of the tolls.
But if Perdue declines to back down, Republicans face these options:
* Endorse a postponement of the new tolls, acknowledging economic suffering in ferry-dependent communities during this election year.
* Take Perdue to court, asking a judge to strike down her moratorium and force DOT to start collecting the tolls. This could cost time and money, and it's not clear whether a judge would agree with the legislature.
* Amend state law to eliminate contradictory language about ferry governance. When the legislature amended the law to direct DOT to "establish" tolls on five ferry routes, it forgot to delete older, contradictory language -- cited by Perdue -- giving DOT "discretion" over what tolls it will "collect."
* Pass a separate bill directly overturning Perdue's moratorium.
Perdue's legal adviser says the toll collection will proceed if the legislature stops the moratorium or clarifies the language that gives DOT power over toll collection.
Bruce Siceloff reports on traffic and transportation. A News & Observer reporter, editor and blogger since 1976, he took over the
Comments
Ferry riders should be paying the full cost
Mon, 04/23/2012 - 08:56 — PlainAndSimpleIt's time for ferry riders to pay the full cost of their ride, just as it's time to quit subsidizing the insurance for rebuilding homes on the OBX that get washed away. Let economics determine who lives and travels on the OBX, and at some point in time the islands will return to their natural state, and not be a tax burden on everyone else.
REGISTER BIKES AND SCOOTERS
Mon, 04/23/2012 - 21:57 — omegaman1. If you would read the fine print on the toll bill you'll find OBX ferries are exempt (a Basnight/White move ).
2. Pamlico County, which is one of the poorest counties in the state, is the county being hit the hardest with this toll mess. If we're going to pay a toll (tax) to go across the river to the doctor then all ramps around RDU should be equipped with toll booths so you can share the pain. I do recall recently reading in this paper that RDU gets more than its fairshare of road money.
3. If you want to talk about subsidizing things then let's talk about the bike roads in your neck of the woods that were paid for by road taxes. Let's register and tax all bikes in RDU since they use the roads paid for by us folks downeast. And, while you're at it, at least register the scooters too.
4. I do agree with the flood/wind insurance since I, like you, got swept up in the mix and ended up paying more insurance. You're lucky not to have the flood insurance since I get hit with a deductible for each policy instead of just one deductible under the old one-policy system.