NC Budget & Ferry Toll Update: Friday, June 3, 2016 | Eastern North Carolina Now

News Release:

    On June 2 and 3, 2016, the NC Senate passed the Sixth Edition of House Bill #1030, which is its version of the 2016 Appropriations Act. The two versions of the Budget bill have several important differences. We are concerned that the Senate chose to retain ferry tolls. The Senate version provides no separate funding for the purchase of ferry vessels. We support the House version of the Budget.

    As we reported to you, the NC House of Representatives passed its version of House Bill #1030, the 2016 Budget bill, with language to delete ferry tolls on all ferries and provide for a separate income stream to purchase ferry vessels. We appreciate the faithfulness of visionary members of the House of Representatives who have not forgotten ferries are integral parts of coastal highways.

    Now that both chambers have passed their respective versions of the 2016 Budget, they will enter into a period of negotiation. A group of Senators will negotiate with a group of Representatives on the various portions of the Budget on which they disagree.

    It is very important that we immediately communicate with all Senators about the importance of including the House provisions for the funding of ferry vessels.

    First, please call or email your own state Senator and ask him or her to support the House approach to ferry funding. For contact information for Senators, visit www.ncleg.net. Click on "Senate", and then "Senate Member List". If you are not sure which Senator represents you in Raleigh, click on "Who Represents Me".

    Second, please call or email President Pro Tem Phil Berger's office and ask him to include the House provisions for the funding of ferry vessels and the deletion of ferry tolls: Senator Phil Berger, President Pro Tem of the NC Senate 919-733-5708, phil.berger@ncleg.net. Thank him for his leadership in North Carolina.

    Third, please call or email the following Senators who are members of the Senate Transportation Committee, at least some of whom will negotiate the Senate's position in Budget negotiations:

    Sen. Wesley Meredith 919-733-5776, wesley.meredith@ncleg.net

    Sen. Bill Rabon 919-733-5963, bill.rabon@ncleg.net

    Sen. Kathy Harrington 919-733-5734, kathy.harrington@ncleg.net

    Sen. Warren Daniel 919-715-7823, warren.daniel@ncleg.net

    Sen. Jim Davis 919-733-5875, jim.davis@ncleg.net

    Sen. Tommy Tucker 919-733-7659, tommy.tucker@ncleg.net

    Sen. Ralph Hise 919-733-3460, ralph.hise@ncleg.net

    Sen. Stan Bingham 919-733-5665, stan.bingham@ncleg.net

    Sen. Rick Gunn 919-301-1446, rick.gunn@ncleg.net

    Sen. Joyce Krawiec 919-733-7850, joyce.krawiec@ncleg.net

    With all these Senators, ask them to adopt the House approach to ferry funding. Thank them for their service to North Carolina. (Call or write a fresh email to these Senators. Click on the name of the Senator for contact information. However, you may freely forward this message to other people who are interested in maintaining ferries without oppressive tolls. Thank you for your cooperation and support.)

    We continue to work to persuade Senators, but they need to hear from many interested North Carolina citizens. The House transportation Budget contains the most progressive and innovative approach to long-term ferry funding. Healthy economic development in eastern and coastal NC is the best answer to funding ferries as well as paying for all transportation needs. Our ferries are part of our highway system, and the House Budget recognizes this reality. Please help us communicate these truths quickly. Thank you for your continuing help and support. Best regards, Henri and Joe McClees

    Contact: Joe McClees & Henri McClees
      McClees Consulting, Inc.

      Post Office Box 430
      Oriental, NC 28571

      Office (252) 249-1097
      Fax (252) 249-3275
      www.mccleesconsulting.com
      Joe McClees's mobile (252) 671-1585
      Henri's mobile (252) 671-1559