State’s new tire-retreading law in need of a loophole closure
Wednesday's No. 2 editorial.
North Carolina’s updated law dealing with school bus and DOT truck tire retreads could use some pumping up.
Conveniently ignored is a $110,000 state-commissioned study recommending that state tire-retreading business go to the lowest bidder without regard to the process used.
That questionable concession benefits White’s Tire Service of Wilson, which almost always uses a different process than its competitors. Most retreaders apply a new tread cap while White encapsulates the tire in rubber, obliterating sidewall information.
The study by an acclaimed tire researcher concluded that White’s more expensive method made no difference in customer satisfaction, quality or performance. The findings came on the heels of a state auditor’s report saying that White’s, which has held the state contract for years, consistently overcharged for tire repairs.
Despite those red flags, the rewritten law still allows state agencies and local school boards to specify White’s more expensive tire-retreading process. Such latitude hardly is justified.
There is, however, one small victory. Spot repairs, performed by White’s at an average cost of up to $36 per school bus tire, no longer will be allowed. The state auditor’s report had called those charges excessive.
State Rep. Nelson Cole of Rockingham County, who has led the uphill battle for retreading reform, may try again next session to close loopholes. For now, taxpayers can and should demand more accountability.
School systems that continue to use White’s costlier retreads rather than buying equally good products from competitors should be made to justify the additional expense.
Rising fuel costs alone should persuade schools and state agencies to get the most cost-effective deal without compromising safety or performance.
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