To say that Tar Heel boaters were upset by Governor Easley’s Veto of H 2167, is a major understatement.
There also seems to be some hard feelings from legislators who worked long and hard to pass the popular bill overwhelmingly in both chambers. Several have expressed their displeasure and Senate president Pro Tem Marc Basnight has stated he is ready to go back to Raleigh and override the veto.
However, this bill originated in the House and the final call on allowing the veto to stand or returning to override it rests with House Speaker Joe Hackney. A Hackney spokesman said they are checking to see if House members want to return to Raleigh or allow the veto to stand. A decision should be announced in the next few days.
The bill would have relaxed towing regulations for recreational boats. One of the components of the bill would have done away with a permit requirement ($100 annual or $12 individual move) for boats 8 ½ to 10 feet wide. The other components allowed towing of boats to 9 ½ feet wide on any day and at night, plus towing of boats to 10 feet wide on any day. Boats wider than 10 feet would still require the permit and have daylight, no Sunday and no holiday restrictions.
North Carolina Sportsman supports this bill and recommends all Tar Heel boaters contact their legislators and let them know how they feel. A link to a form letter for contacting all members of the NC legislature is below. We also recommend contacting Speaker Hackney, President Pro Tem Basnight and your local legislators.
Hackney’s office phone is 919-733-3451 and his e-mail address is Joeh@ncleg.net.
Basnight’s office phone is (919) 733-6854 and his e-mail address is Marcb@ncleg.net.
You can find the contact information for your local legislators at www.ncleg.net. In the right hand margin on the home page there is a link entitled “Who Represents Me?” Simply enter your zip code and it will do the rest.
If we can get the legislators back to Raleigh, there should be little doubt about the outcome. H 2167 passed in the House 108-5 and in the Senate 43-0. North Carolina law only requires a 3/5 majority to override a veto.
North Carolina Sportsman urges our readers to make themselves heard. Use the information above to contact Hackney, Basnight and your local legislators and use the link below to send a message to all N.C. Representatives and Senators.
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