House panel backs ending ferry tolls, light-rail funds cap

RALEIGH, NC (AP) — A state House transportation panel wants the North Carolina legislature to do away with all ferry tolls and eliminate a recent cap on state funding for light-rail projects.

The special committee wrapping up its work Monday before the General Assembly’s budget-adjustment session begins April 25 also recommended that half of the funding to pave dirt- or gravel-covered secondary roads be distributed differently.

The Republican-led legislature has gone back and forth over tolling the state’s seven ferry routes, four of which currently require fees.

The panel met eight times since December and will meet again after the session ends to likely consider more meaty transportation funding recommendations for 2017.

Any recommendations have to be approved by the full House and Senate before they reach the Gov. Pat McCrory’s desk.

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