This week was a short one at the General Assembly. There were committee meetings on Tuesday and Wednesday only. Thursday the General Assembly convened an Extra Session to consider the expulsion of Representative Thomas Wright.
The Joint Legislative Transportation Committee
On Tuesday this committee met to hear presentations by the NCDOT (NC Department of Transportation), Charlotte Area Transit System and the Triangle Transit Authority.
NCDOT presented an update on the transformation of the NCDOT. Roberto Canales presented the committee on the NCDOT’s efforts regarding strategic direction, planning, prioritization, performance and accountability for the new NCDOT.
Charlotte Area Transit System presented on the success of Charlotte’s light rail and expanded bus system. Here are some of the highlights:
-Opened in November 24, 2007
-15 Stations (7 park&rides)
-Operates seven days a week from 5:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m.
-Ridership is above original projection of 9,100 by the end of first year.
-Over $1.5 billion in actual and proposed corridor development through 2001.
Charlotte Transit received funds from the General Assembly, the federal government, and created a ½ cent sales tax to pay for this transit system. Expansions are planned to the Charlotte Transit System.
See the presentation: http://www.ncleg.net/documentsites/committees/JLTOC/March%2018,%202008/Presentations/Transportation%20Oversight%20Committee%20-%20March%2018%202007.pdf
Triangle Transit Authority presented on the future expansions of the TTA. These expansions, if funded and approved, will focus on additional bus service connecting Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill.
Transportation Poll:So how do the citizens of North Carolina feel about transit and where should we be investing tax dollars when it comes to transportation? Elon University released a poll this week that explores the answers to just those questions. The Elon Poll found that 61 percent of those questioned would embrace car pools, 59 percent supported train service expansion, 58 percent favored light rail service and 53 percent found bus services a real option.
Check out the Elon Poll: http://www.elon.edu/e-net/Note.aspx?id=927994
Joint Study Committee on Autism Spectrum Disorder and Public Safety.
On Wednesday this committee met to hear a presentation from William C. Chandler on the new Silver Alert Program. Silver Alert is similar to Amber Alert.
The legislation that created Silver Alert was passed during the 2007 Legislative session.
A Silver Alert is activated based on the following criteria;
1. a person is 18 years or older;
2. the person is believed to be have Dementia or is a person with a cognitive disability;
3. a person is believed to be missing regardless of circumstance;
4. a legal custodian has made a Missing Person Report to local law enforcement;
5. the local law enforcement agency reports the incident to the NC Center for Missing Persons.
Several committee members asked if the “Take Me Home” program could be instituted state wide or if the Silver Alert Program could have the age requirement removed from it so that it could serve more people with Autism and developmental disabilities. Both of these options are currently under review by the committee members and staff.
Technology:
On Tuesday this committee met to review the progress of high speed internet into our state’s rural areas. One option that came up during this meeting was the use of continued private/public telecommunication partnerships to expand high speed services.
Extra Session:
Today the House of Representatives convened an Extra Session of the House to consider a motion to expel Representative Thomas Wright –D (NC House District 18, New Hanover). After a somber House session, the members voted to expel Representative Thomas Wright. A House Special Committee has spent the past three months reviewing evidence of misuse of campaign donations, charitable donations and loans obtained as a member of the House. The final vote today was 109 Aye to 5 No.
The following sites have coverage of today’s events:
NC Policy Watch for today’s Fitzsimon File:
www.ncpolicywatch.com
WRAL News www.wral.com
News and Observer www.newsobserver.com
Also check out the coverage on the following political blogs:
Under the Dome: http://projects.newsobserver.com/dome
Capital Beat: http://blog.news-record.com/staff/capblog/
Isaac Hunters Tavern: http://www.wunc.org/programs/news/Isaac-Hunters-Tavern
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