A tale of two legislatures

Don't like what the N.C. General Assembly is doing this summer? At least they're getting things done. Take a look at Virginia's General Assembly: It adjourned a special session called to deal with transportation issues, but failed to agree on any action that would boost spending on state highways. (And if you've ridden on some of the Commonwealth's rougher roads, you know they need a hand.) Here's a link from The Virginian Pilot today.
Meanwhile, in Raleigh, lawmakers were busy amending a scary bill allowing longer trailers and some wider loads on state roads. Under the new version,offered in committee by Republican Rep. Trudi Walend of Transylvania County, the state Department of Transportation gets a more clearly defined right to decide if 53-foot trailers will go on certain roads that safety advocates believe are too winding to support tractor-trailer rigs longer than 48 feet. Say what you will about the honorables in Raleigh, but at least they're able to move legislation forward.
Now, that might be good and that might be bad, depending on your point of view, but they clearly are finding ways to get things done. Who knows -- maybe it's because the public didn't much like the trucking bill. Or maybe it's because Gov. Mike Easley threatened to veto the bill if it included the wider boat loads. Here's a link to Bruce Siceloff's report on the N&O Web site.