01/28/2011

Committee Chairs Named

New House Chairs for Transportation Appropriations:

• Ric Killian – Mecklenburg – real estate investor
• Phil Frye – Avery, Caldwell, Mitchell, Yancey – small businessman

House Transportation (policy) Committee:

• Grey Mills – Iredell – personal injury attorney
• Frank Iler – Brunswick – retired businessman

Senate Chairs for Transportation Appropriations:

• James Forrester – Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell – physician
• Kathy Harrington – Gaston – realtor
• Bill Rabon (vice-chair)- Brunswick, Columbus, Pender – veterinarian

Senate Transportation (policy) Committee:

• James Forrester – Gaston, Lincoln, Iredell – physician
• Bill Rabon – Brunswick, Columbus, Pender – veterinarian
• Kathy Harrington (vice-chair) – Gaston – realtor

President Pro-Tem Phil Burger told me that the three chairs for Transportation Appropriations and Transportation Policy in the Senate would be “interchangeable”.  This will provide more continuity, but if we have any problems with a chair it will carry over.  Most of our issues are appropriations related.  Harrington and Rabon are both freshmen so there will be a learning curve.  Forrester has never served on Transportation Appropriations in the past.  Harrington has opposed the Gaston Parkway as currently planned.

The word on the street is that the Republicans intend to take back the gap money that was appropriated for the Gaston Parkway and for the Mid-Currituck Bridge.  I don’t think Gaston will be killed permanently, but I think the Mid-Currituck Bridge could be history.