The 21st Century Transportation Commission continued its study of transportation needs yesterday.  After presentations from the NC Turnpike Authority, NCGO, the League of Municipalities, Association of County Commissioners and the Coalition of Engineers for Transportation, the committee discussion turned to additional presentations members would like to hear in upcoming meetings.  

Former Representative George Miller would like to see a presentation on rails for both passengers and goods.  Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenburg) wants to look at best practices in other states. She also thinks the commission should become knowledgeable on hot button issues and requested a discussion on loops.  Sen. Richard Stevens (R-Wake) raised some questions regarding county-by-county tax collections and distribution, which led to a request for a hearing on the federal funding formula.  The fifth request for in depth information at upcoming meetings was made by Nina S. Szlosberg, who also serves as the Chair, Environment Planning and Policy Committee for North Carolina Board of Transportation. Ms. Szlosberg requested that the Climate Action Plan Advisory Group (CAPAG) provide information and guidance to the commission.  

CAPAG is the group that Carolina Journal?s Paul Chesser has written about so extensively. They are under the guidance of the Center for Climate Strategies, a subsidiary of a global warming advocacy group in Philadelphia and part of a national effort to influence states? governments.  CAPAG has been involved in making recommendations and advising another N.C. legislative committee, the Legislative Commission on Global Climate Change.   Revisit Paul?s alarming series here.

The influence of CAPAG in yet another North Carolina legislative commission is alarming, to say the least.