Special Report to Blowing Rock News. November 22, 2010. RALEIGH, NC -- Each Week, Blowing Rock News is pleased to publish State Representative Cullie Tarleton's "The Raleigh Report," which he prepares each week as a service to the constituents of NC House District 93 (Ashe and Watauga Counties).

The Raleigh Report

From the Office of Representative Cullie Tarleton

I know I said a couple of weeks ago that I would not have any more Raleigh Reports but I got this information on transportation and thought I’d share it with you. We continue to work in North Carolina to improve our motor vehicle laws and make our roads safer. I wanted to share an update about some of the changes made in the General Assembly during this past session.  I may have another Raleigh Report or two before my term ends. I hope you will find this information helpful.

Safety

The Department of Transportation is required to accept and use any money provided by a municipal government for a pedestrian safety improvement project on a state road within the municipality's limits. The law (SL2010-37) says the municipality must fund the full cost of the project and the department retains the right to approve the design and oversee the project.

The state’s vehicle inspection law has been changed to provide that a new or used vehicle that has received a passing inspection within the previous 12 months would not be subject to an additional inspection when its current registration expires. The new law (SL2010-97) also allows the temporary registration of an unregistered vehicle for up to 10 days to allow for the vehicle to be driven pending inspection. It also allows for the issuance of a 10-day trip permit for a vehicle whose inspection authorization or registration has expired. Prior law provided for a 3-day trip permit for a vehicle whose inspection authorization or registration had expired, and a 10-day temporary permit for vehicles that failed the emissions inspection.

The driver's license restoration fee has been increased to $100 for licenses revoked for impaired driving. The additional $25 from each fee will be transferred to the Forensic Tests for Alcohol Branch of the Chronic Disease and Injury Section of the Department of Health and Human Services. (SL2010-130)

Motor Vehicles

A law (SL2010-39) signed by the governor earlier this year will make it easier for veterans of Operation Desert Storm and the ongoing wars in Afghanistan and Iraq to get specialty license plates noting their service.

The age cap for persons eligible to be issued an eight-year drivers license has been increased from 54 to 65 years of age. Previously, a driver’s license issued to people between the ages of 18 and 54 expired in eight years. A driver’s license issued to people 54 and older expired in five. Under the new law, drivers up to the age of 65 will receive eight-year licenses, while licenses for those over the age of 65 will continue to be valid for five years only. SL 2010-131

A new law (SL2010-132) makes a number of changes to the state’s license plate laws. Two of the more notable changes include:

License plate covers. – Any operator of a motor vehicle who covers any registration number, registration letter, or the state name on a registration plate, number on a year sticker, or number on a month sticker with any frame or transparent clear or color-tinted cover that makes the information illegible is guilty of an infraction.

Repeal of emergency use of registration plates. – The act repeals a statute that authorizes the Commissioner of Motor Vehicles to allow emergency use of a registration plate on another vehicle when the vehicle for which it was originally issued is being repaired.

The law also makes a number of changes in laws governing dealer plates, transporter plates and free special plates. It also authorizes some Department of Transportation to use red lights in case of emergency and requires vehicles to move over a lane when passing emergency vehicles working to restore electric service.

Notes

Facebook, the world’s leading social networking service, will build a data center in Rutherford County. The facility is expected to create more than 250 construction and mechanical jobs during its 18-month building phase. When construction is completed, the data center will employ around 35-45 full-time and contract workers. Facebook is expected to invest about $450 million in the center.

SPX Corporation, a Fortune 500 multi-industry manufacturing leader, has initiated plans to build a new global headquarters in Mecklenburg County.  The company plans to create 180 jobs in Charlotte over the next five years and invest $70 million toward the project

Randolph County has received good news from two companies expected to create nearly 180 jobs and invest about $137 million over the next three years. Ernie Green Industries Inc. (EGI), a national plastics manufacturer and supplier of automotive parts, will locate a new plastic molding and assembly facility in Randolph County. The company plans to create 96 jobs and invest $1.75 million. Cereal company Malt-O-Meal is expanding its breakfast cereal and oatmeal manufacturing plant.  The company plans to create 80 jobs and invest $135 million during the next three years.

Precision Hydraulic Cylinders, a leading manufacturer of precision hydraulic cylinders, will expand its production facility in Duplin County.  The company plans to create 89 jobs and invest $3.4 million during the next three years.

Infocrossing, an information technology company, will open a state-of-the-art data center in Cleveland County. As part of the project, the company plans to invest $75 million in the new state-of-the-art facility and create 17 direct technology jobs over the next four years.

As you can see from these announcements, we are making progress in North Carolina as we work out way out of the terrible recession that has plagued us for past two years. Too bad the voters were so impatient.

Sylvia joins me in wishing for a very happy and blessed Thanksgiving for you and your families. Remember to pray for our men and women serving in the military.

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