Folwell to Cooper: Fire your DOT secretary!
This sounds like something that ought to be coming from the state’s alleged conservative party (if they had a communications office worth a damn) or from someone trying to establish himself as North Carolina’s conservative leader and take Roy Cooper’s job (looking at YOU, Lt. Dan).
But, no, it’s coming from our duly elected state treasurer, Dale Folwell, who has done an outstanding job of establishing himself as THE conservative leader in the state:
State Treasurer Dale R. Folwell, today called for Governor Roy Cooper to replace his N.C. Department of Transportation (NCDOT) secretary. NCDOT has spent nearly $7 billion for fiscal year 2019 against revenues of $5 billion for that year. This overspending resulted in NCDOT, not the governor, going to the North Carolina General Assembly (NCGA) and requesting a bailout costing hundreds of millions of dollars. Being treated differently than every other branch of state government and not held to account requires discipline that the leadership at NCDOT has not demonstrated.
In connection with the nearly $2 billion in overspending, NCDOT made $1.1 billion in “short-term” loans from the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) for the Highway Fund (HF) between April 2018 and April 2019. Under state law, many of the projects funded could not have been paid using HTF funds. Additionally, as required by statute, NCDOT neither sought nor received approval of the State Treasurer to loan the funds from the HTF to the HF. There have been no other loans from the HTF in over 10 years.
“The word ‘trust’ in the Highway Trust Fund implies that taxpayers, rating agencies, and bond holders trust that the money is being used properly,” said Treasurer Folwell. “The lack of oversight at NCDOT is outrageous. We endorse sustainable and predictable funding for transportation projects in North Carolina. Taxpayers, road builders, legislators and rank-in-file NCDOT employees deserve a single source of truth and facts going forward without fear of retribution.”
A clear lack of managerial control has been demonstrated by tens of millions in overspending by every division in NCDOT. Treasurer Folwell sees a clear and urgent need for the Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM) to take over the financial management of NCDOT.
The State and Local Government Finance Division of the N.C. Department of State Treasurer (DST) issued $300 million of Build NC bonds in March and $600 million of GARVEE Bonds in June of this year. The division did this in an expedited manner in response to concerns of members of the NCGA regarding cash flow needs of NCDOT. This is on top of the $1.1 billion improperly transferred from the HTF to the HF. No other state treasurer has issued more transportation bonds, in a shorter period, than Treasurer Folwell.
During the division’s due diligence process for the Build NC bonds, it was discovered by outside counsel that the Treasurer never approved the $1.1 billion in inter-fund loans. In addition, NCDOT failed to provide a detailed schedule for repayment despite two written requests from DST.
“I have full confidence in the subject-matter experts at the Treasurer’s Office, all of whom are from the previous administration,” said Treasurer Folwell. “They’ve been warning me for over a year that NCDOT was writing checks they can’t cash. I would put these subject-matter experts up against anyone, anytime, anywhere.”
In the Build NC series bond offering statement published on June 27, 2019, NCDOT reported future Map Act settlements as immaterial in the Build NC Series 2019 Bond Offering Statement. But a little more than 30 days later, NCDOT Chief Operating Officer Bobby Lewis is reported to have told members of the Board of Transportation that Map Act settlements may exceed $1 billion.
“We cannot trust what we’re being told by NCDOT,” said Treasurer Folwell. “Their mismanagement directly undermines the faith that the rating agencies put in our disclosures and threatens the state’s triple ‘AAA’ bond rating. We should not spend additional taxpayers’ money or put more transportation debt on the backs of North Carolina’s citizens until Governor Cooper fixes this mess.”
On September 11, a report commissioned by OSBM was issued and posted on NCDOT’s website. Taking only six weeks and costing $970,000, the report by NCDOT and McKinsey & Company (although “McKinsey & Company” appears nowhere on the report) concluded the department’s overspending was caused by (1) inadequate cash management, (2) excessive spending on preliminary engineering, and (3) unreimbursed disaster recovery costs. A full, complete and objective audit is called for.
“The NCDOT didn’t know it was speeding; when it was told that it was speeding, it didn’t slow down and, eventually, it didn’t slow down enough,” said Treasurer Folwell. “There were absolutely no consequences; and the General Assembly nor taxpayers should be blamed.” […]
Highway construction has been subject to over-regulation and cronyism since the time of the Roman roads were built across Europe. That it should be under close scrutiny goes without saying. The boss should indeed be fired and Cooper severely reprimanded for dereliction of duty. Why not calls for a recall election? The over spending constitutes a large percentage of the state’s entire budget. Do this in the private sector and you get shot out of a cannon. Sadly Dan Forrest does not appear to have the backbone and voice we need to beat back the Progressives and the Establishment of both parties. Please run for Governor Mr. Folwell.
Dale Folwell has always been one of my favorite public officials(one of very few) and should be applauded for continuing to bring to the public’s attention the incompetence of our GOVT>
Ron Margiotta
This is the most important council of state in NC. We are MOST fortunate to have someone of Folwell’s integrity and knowledge. He needs to stay where he is: PROTECTING OUR TAX MONEY!!!!!!!!!!