Easley Not Backing Down from Veto of Boat Bill

North Carolina lawmakers will return to Raleigh on Wednesday and try to override Governor Easley's veto of a bill that would ease towing restrictions for large boats. Easley vetoed the bill last week. It would have allowed drivers to tow 9 1/2 foot boats at night and on weekends. Currently, boats towed at night and on weekends can't be more than 8 1/2 feet. The governor's press secretary, Renee Hoffman, says Easley will fight for the veto to stand. "He sees House Bill 2167 as a solution looking for a problem. The enforcement of this law has not been a major problem. There were only five tickets written for over-width boats in all of 2007. Obviously there's a huge law-enforcement crackdown." The governor fears the legislation could lead to more collisions, especially on rural two-lane roads. Supporters of the legislation say owners of large boats are careful enough to handle potential problems.