Quick hits: N.C. visitors like to spend money, N.C. residents do not

N.C. visitors spent a record amount in 2007

"North Carolina visitors spent a record amount in 2007 – more than $16.5 billion – Gov. Mike Easley announced Monday."

"That was an increase of 7.2 percent from 2006 when visitors spent $15.4 billion," according to WRAL.com.

"Employment in the travel and tourism industry for 2007 also saw an increase of 2 percent compared with the previous year.

" 'From skiing in the winter to an endless variety of summer vacation opportunities, the many wonderful attractions in North Carolina make our state one of the nation’s top travel destinations,' Easley said in a press release. 'Our aggressive efforts to promote tourism are paying off in good jobs and more recreational opportunities for residents and visitors alike.' ..."

Poll finds support for rail, transit, wider roads

"North Carolinians overwhelmingly say improving public transportation and widening roads are the best ways to deal with traffic congestion, according to a new poll. But they don't like the idea of highway tolls to pay for them," says the N&O.

"The poll, released today by Elon University, found 82 percent support for widening roads and improving public transportation to address traffic congestion. Majorities also favored building more roads (72 percent), increasing park-and-ride lots (73 percent) and adding carpool or high occupancy vehicle lanes (52 percent).

"The poll found strong support for rail systems, including commuter rail in urban areas (72 percent), high-speed trains between the state's largest cities (70 percent) and regional rail (64 percent).

"To pay for regional rail, 67 percent supported extra fees. To pay for work on bridges and roads and other transportation projects, 66 percent supported a $2 billion statewide bond issue. ..."

Quick hits: Rail in N.C.'s future, but sandbags are not

N.C.'s future rides on trains
"Just a few weeks ago Congress, for the first time in 32 years, increased vehicle fuel economy standards.

"Just a few weeks ago in Mecklenburg County, residents voted overwhelmingly to keep a tax to help pay for improved mass transit.

"And just a few weeks ago, the Association of American Railroads released a report that 2007 was the U.S. railroads' second best year ever for total volume, intermodal traffic and revenue -- and oil hit $100 a barrel.

"People and businesses in this country and North Carolina are beginning to think differently about our transportation future," writes Scott Saylor of the North Carolina Railroad Company in a special piece to the Charlotte Observer. "Travel and shipping delays caused by crowded, dangerous highways, environmental pollution from exhausts, and soaring energy costs are weighing on public opinion and the political process. ..."

Sandbags no longer to hold back ocean along N.C. coast
"A state decision to enforce a coastal regulation requires property owners along the North Carolina coast to remove sandbags from land threatened by the creeping Atlantic Ocean," says WRAL's Bill Leslie.

"State officials argued that the implementation of the regulation only honored the intent for sandbags to be temporary guardians against the Atlantic. But homeowners said the loss of the protection of sandbags will ensure the destruction of their homes, many of which are retirement investments.

" 'This is going to be catastrophic for the homeowners, for the state, for everybody,' said Yogi Harper, the owner of both a beach house protected by sandbags and a business that installs them. ..."