With a strong bipartisan show of support today, the N.C. Senate gave final approval to legislation that places a $2-billion infrastructure bond referendum on the 2016 ballot. With the final passage of House Bill 943, North Carolina voters in the March 2016 primaries will choose whether to support substantial infrastructure investments for our state’s public universities, community colleges, National Guard regional-readiness centers, and local water and sewer systems. Today’s Senate vote followed a strong bipartisan vote of support from the House taken in August.

The bond proposal seeks to take advantage of historically low interest rates to secure additional infrastructure and education investments on top of those already achieved this session. If the majority of North Carolina voters choose to support the proposal, the $2-billion investments will be used to upgrade facilities at public universities and community colleges statewide, improve water and sewer infrastructure for local communities most in need, and bolster a number of public safety initiatives across North Carolina. Additionally, it would directly and indirectly support the growth of new jobs in North Carolina, both for today and for the future.

All credit should go to the leadership of Governor McCrory and the General Assembly for continuing to address our infrastructure needs in the closing days of session. We will provide you with more details on the proposal as we get closer to the 2016 primaries.