Charlotte airport bill delayed in NC Senate

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) — Charlotte's mayor is pleased that legislators slowed a bill that would shift control of North Carolina's largest airport from the city to a regional authority.

The sponsor of the bill to create a new oversight body for Charlotte Douglas International Airport said he delayed floor debate Thursday to get information about the proposed change on bonds the airport has issued. Sen. Bob Rucho of Matthews rescheduled debate for next Wednesday.

Mayor Anthony Foxx and the city council have opposed the switch and say the authority idea should be studied. Foxx said Thursday the proposal seems like a solution looking for a problem with one of the country's busiest airports.

Rucho has said the airport needs the expertise of an authority as a rail freight project there gets under way.