Ferry Tolls Update
The 2014 NC General Assembly will adjourn within a few days. The transportation portion of the budget appears to have been settled. Although the House pressed for a final resolution of the ferry toll issue, Senate conferees refused to discuss the issue. Thus, adjournment finds no new ferry taxes, but leaves our issue dangling for the 2015 legislative session.
As Rep. John Torbett often says, “It is the right thing to do,” to remove ferry tolls and include the ferries as a unique part of a larger marketing plan for our remarkable coast. Tourism produces needed revenue, whereas tolling removes money from coastal communities.
We will bring this concept to the 2015 General Assembly.
In the meanwhile, existing law passed in 2013 forbids new ferry tolls without a specific request from a local RPO. No such request has been forthcoming.
If news breaks on the issue of the ferry tax, we will contact you immediately. If you have questions regarding the political situation regarding the ferry issue, please contact Joe McClees (252) 671-1585 or Henri McClees (252) 671-1559.
Best regards, Henri and Joe
Joseph D. McClees
S. Henri McClees
McClees Consulting, Inc.
Post Office Box 430
Oriental, NC 28571
Office (252) 249-1097
Fax (252) 249-3275
Joe’s mobile (252) 671-1585
Henri’s mobile (252) 671-1559
