McCrory takes a pass on Asheville water bill

Citing pending litigation, Gov. Pat McCrory says he will neither sign nor veto a bill that moves Asheville's water system form the city's management to a regional authority.

Posted 9:46 p.m. May 8, 2013 — Updated 11:35 p.m. May 8, 2013

Mark Binker

RALEIGH, N.C. — Gov. Pat McCrory will neither sign nor veto a bill dealing with the Asheville water system, saying instead he will let the measure pass into law without his signature.

When legislature is in session, governors have 10 days to sign or veto legislation. If they do neither, the measure becomes law without their approval.

Lawmakers have battled over a measure that transfers Asheville's water system from the city's control to a regional authority. City leaders say they will sue to stop the transfer.

McCrory said he will stay out of the fight, opting for the first time this session to allow a bill to become law without his approval.

“The issues surrounding the transfer of the assets of the Asheville water department to a regional authority potentially raise a number of complicated inter-governmental issues," McCrory said in a news release. "The City of Asheville has made it clear it will turn to the courts to resolve those issues should HB488 become law. To permit that process to run its proper course, I will allow HB488 to become law without my signature."

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