Special Session Considered for Roads, Goodyear Grants

Raleigh, N.C. — State leaders will meet Tuesday to talk about transportation needs.

Gov. Mike Easley, House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight are expected to appoint a task force to look at the state's road needs.

Transportation advocates argue funding for various initiatives was ignored in the last legislative session, and officials have discussed possibly calling a special session of the General Assembly to deal with it.

Meanwhile, state Rep. Rick Glazier, D-Cumberland, said Monday he might call for a special session if Easley vetoes a bill that could provide Goodyear Tire and Rubber Co. with up to $40 million in state grants to upgrade its Fayetteville plant.

The plant employs about 2,700 people, and state lawmakers approved a bill allowing for the grants over a 10-year period as long as Goodyear doesn't cut its work force and invests at least $200 million in the plant.

Easley has said he has concerns about the legislation. He has until Saturday to sign or veto the bill, or it automatically takes effect.

Glazier, who sponsored the bill, said he would like to call lawmakers to Raleigh to override any veto.