For Immediate Release:
The Senate budget directs NC DOT to tax ALL ferries, including the Currituck-Knots Island ferry and the Hatteras to Ocracoke ferry. It directs DOT to ignore Governor's Perdue moratorium and begin to collect the ferry taxes, effective July 1, 2012. The specific ferry language is found at page 140 in the latest online version: http://www.ncleg.net/sessions/2011/budget/2012/H950-CSMDxf-28.PDF
The Senate's version of the state budget demonstrates a lack of understanding of the urgent needs of coastal citizens. This is a continuation of our fight to protect coastal citizens. We cannot become complacent during these last weeks of the legislature. The NC House and Governor agree with us, but the Senate has not seen the light.
Act now! Please communicate your objections to ferry taxes to the key decision makers listed below. Call or email. As always, be firm but polite. Key decision makers in the NC Senate must be contacted immediately:
Beaufort County Ferry landing crossing the Pamlico River at Gaylords Bay: Above. photo by Stan Deatherage
1. President Pro Tem Phil Berger (from Eden in Rockingham County)
a. Office telephone # (
919) 733-5708
b. NC Legislature email:
phil.berger@ncleg.net
2. Senate Appropriations Committee Co-Chair Pete Brunstetter (from Winston-Salem)
a. Office telephone #
(919) 733-7850
b. NC Legislature email:
peter.brunstetter@ncleg.net
3. Senate Appropriations Committee Co-Chair Neal Hunt (from Raleigh)
a. Office telephone #
(919) 733-5850
b. NC Legislature email:
neal.hunt@ncleg.net
4. Senate Appropriations Committee Co-Chair Richard Stevens (from Raleigh)
a. Office telephone #
(919) 733-5653
b. NC Legislature email:
richard.stevens@ncleg.net
We are in Raleigh, working on this issue today. Do not hesitate to contact us if you have questions.
Best regards,
Henri and Joe McClees
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