By Peter Vankevich
Representative Paul Tine (Unaffiliated-District 6, which covers Ocracoke) announced today that he would not see reelection for a third term in the House of Representatives. He will remain in office until his current term ends in January 2017.
“Since returning home two weeks ago, I have come to realize that my absence has taken a heavy toll on my family,” he said in a press release. ” It is important that I take the time while my children are still young to be a father and husband.”
The reason for his early announcement, he said, was to allow other candidates time to come forward.
As co-chair of the Transportation Appropriations Committee, Tine worked on many issues affecting Ocracoke, including opposing ferry tolls and changes to the current resident priority pass system. He supported and got passed permanent funding for dredging both for Hatteras and Oregon inlets.
He opposed House Bill 983, titled “2013 Fisheries Economic Development Act,” as known as the “game fish bill,” which would stop commercial fishermen from catching trout, rock fish, and red drum, and he supported strengthening the commercial oyster industry.
This year, he was appointed to serve as vice-chair of the state Budget Conference Committee. His press release on the final budget can be read here.
A popular politician on Ocracoke, in a tight election last year against Mattie Lawson, Tine carried the Ocracoke precinct with 89 percent of the vote.
