North Carolina lawmakers have voted for the first time ever to override a veto by the governor. The bill in question, H 2167, allows boats up to nine and a half feet wide to be towed on state roads at night without a permit. That’s one foot wider than current law allows.
Governor Mike Easley had vetoed the bill last week, citing safety concerns on narrow roads. The state highway patrol also spoke out against the bill. But lawmakers voted to uphold it at the request of Beaufort Democrat Arthur Williams.
"This is not a safety issue. This is an issue about economics and tourism. We have lost 700 to 1000 jobs during this recession in the boating industry. I think this bill stands on its own merit, and the people have spoken out.”
The final House vote was 95 to 8 to override the veto. In the Senate, the vote was unanimous. The bill now becomes law over the Governor’s objections.
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