RALEIGH, N.C. — A few Republicans joined Democrats on Tuesday to turn back a provision that would have required the North Carolina General Assembly to explicitly accept federal funds like those coming to improve rail service between Raleigh and Charlotte.
The House Transportation Committee narrowly approved an amendment deleting a proposal that would have required the Legislature to act in order for the state to receive $460 million in federal funds to improve high-speed passenger train service.
The Obama administration announced the grant last month. Republican governors in three states have rejected similar high-speed rail funds because they didn’t want to obligate their states to potentially high operating costs. But grant supporters argue the money will create jobs and reduce future congestion.
The earlier proposal eliminated by a vote of 17-15 would have applied to any federal rail grant if the state’s portion exceeded $5 million. Now, the bill would only require the state Department of Transportation to consult with a legislative commission when the portion surpassed $3 million.
Rep. Becky Carney, R-Mecklenburg, the amendment sponsor, said the measure would have tied the hands of DOT leaders without the change to seek help from the federal government for future rail projects.
“I don’t know that we have proven that they’ve done anything wrong and irresponsible,” Carney said, adding the amendment deleting explicit legislative approval “takes the politics out of this bill.”
Fellow Charlotte Rep. Ric Killian, one of the bill’s primary sponsors, opposed the amendment, saying the state shouldn’t be saddled with high operating costs or matching grants unless the Legislature agrees it wants to do so.
He said he’s willing to change the bill to satisfy colleagues make clear the Legislature wouldn’t necessarily have to be called into a special session if grant approval is needed when lawmakers aren’t in Raleigh. A provision in a House transportation budget proposal similar to the one that retain explicit legislative approval would be considered Wednesday in another committee.
The rail grant would replace curves with straightaways and build 12 new bridges to eliminate dozens of highway-rail crossings that would allow trains of 90 mph to run, cutting time off the Raleigh-Charlotte route. The mayors of Charlotte and Durham urged lawmakers two weeks ago to protect the funds by opposing Killian’s bill.
The state Department of Transportation wants additional federal funds from the $2.4 billion that Florida rejected. Those funds could require matching grants from the state.
By Gary D. Robertson
Published: April 20, 2011
