RALEIGH -- The 21st Century Transportation Committee says bonds are the best way to pay for short-term transportation improvements this year. The committee made several recommendations Tuesday morning, just moments before the beginning of the General Assembly's short session.

One of the biggest recommendations is a bond referendum to go on ballots statewide in November for at least $1 billion for transportation needs.

“If a bond goes forward and is approved by the public in November, that will bring new revenue to transportation issues across North Carolina,” explained Brad Wilson, chairman of the committee and chief operating officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina. “If there is not a bond, any improvements you might see will have to be done within the current economic construct.”

The committee also recommended the state stop transferring $172 million a year from the Highway Trust Fund to the General Fund. That money would be used to help fund toll road projects.

The committee also recommended the state come up with an aggressive plan for mass transportation, like the successful LYNX light rail system in Charlotte.

“The Charlotte system is so successful, it's almost too successful,” explained Nina Szlosberg, a member of the 21st Century Transportation Committee and the N.C. Board of Transportation. “They're looking to expand it because they're packing the rail cars full of people every single day. We are going to get this done in the Triangle. We're going to get it done in the Triad. We have opportunities in Wilmington and Ashville. We will see, we have to see mass transportation if we're going to compete with the rest of the country.”

However, Szlosberg worries the recommendations don't do enough to help solve the state's transportation problems.

“I just think we ought to wait,” she said. “In the transportation world, speed kills. So if you move too fast, you might not get the public to support a recommendation. I think we just need to take a little more time, and we will. Next session, we're going to roll our sleeves and do something big.”

Other committee members acknowledge the recommendations are simply short-term solutions for a growing state.

“Today will not solve the long term problem of transportation in North Carolina, but it's a step in the right direction,” said Charles Bowman, a member of the 21st Century Transportation Committee’s Finance subcommittee and senior vice president of Bank of America in Charlotte.

The 21st Century Transportation Committee also recommended the General Assembly give local governments the authority to raise sales taxes to help pay for local transportation projects.

The committee's recommendations for the General Assembly’s short session will not require additional revenue from the state. However, members expect their recommendations in the final report, which is due at the end of the year, will require the state to find additional funding.