Gov. Pat McCrory issued a statement Wednesday saying he would not sign House Bill 488, a bill changing the oversight and ownership of Asheville’s water system. Here is his statement, in full:
“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. The city of Asheville has made it clear it will turn to the courts to resolve those issues should HB488 become law. To permit the process to run its proper course, HB488 will become law without my signature.”
Originally published Wednesday, May 8:
Tuesday night, Asheville City Council passed a resolution authorizing legal action to challenge House Bill 488, should it become law, according to a press release issued by the city Tuesday night.
Although a push is on to get Gov. Pat McCrory to intervene in the Asheville water and sewer merger, the governor has yet to signal that he won’t sign House Bill 488, the Regionalization of Public Utilities.
The bill was sent to the governor on May 3. By law, he has ten days to either veto it or sign it. Otherwise, it becomes law without his signature.
Here is the press release, in its entirety, followed by the resolution:
ASHEVILLE – Asheville City Council passed a resolution this evening resolving that the imminent effectiveness of HB 488 has the potential to affect the health, sanitation and safety of the city of Asheville, and the users of the water system, and has the potential to affect the city’s financial soundness. The resolution directs the city attorney to take appropriate legal action to: (a) challenge the validity of HB 488, should it become law, (b) have said law declared invalid, (c) obtain appropriate injunctive or other relief to prevent said law from becoming effective, (d) seek compensation for the forced transfer of the water system and (e) such other or further relief as necessary or appropriate; and to employ such attorneys or other persons as may be needed to assist in said legal action.
Kirk Ross contributed reporting to this story.
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