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RALEIGH (AP) — The chairman of a blue-ribbon committee that will examine North Carolina's transportation funding shortfall said Monday he's going into his job with no preconceived notions about whether higher taxes are part of the solution.

Three top Democrats — Gov. Mike Easley, House Speaker Joe Hackney and Senate leader Marc Basnight — announced the creation of the 24-member panel that will scrutinize the road-building challenges facing the state.

State transportation officials have estimated a $65 billion difference over the next two decades between transportation revenues and North Carolina's highway and public transportation needs over the next two decades. Some people, including Easley, have been skeptical about the amount.

"Whatever the number is, it's very large," said Brad Wilson, chief operating officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of North Carolina, whom Easley asked to lead the 21st Century Transportation Committee.

Wilson said the committee isn't about offering political cover to Democratic legislators who were unable in the summer to agree how to invigorate flat revenues for roads, while asphalt and other construction expenses soared. The committee is supposed to make recommendations to the Legislature before it reconvenes in May.

"I think that's a narrow, cynical view of what our charge is," Wilson said. The committee's mission is to consider "all kinds of transportation alternatives and all the funding mechanisms for all of them," he said.

The committee, which hasn't scheduled its first meeting, was told to review options for local transportation funding and examine how urban congestion can be relieved. That may include a greater emphasis on public transportation, light rail and cycling lanes on roads.

Ways to use technology and recycled road material to save money also are to be considered.

"A careful, independent analysis will allow us to make sure we are moving ahead efficiently and spending taxpayer money in the best way possible," Hackney, D-Orange, said in a news release.

Possible funding options could include dedicating transportation revenues for city and county governments. Most road-building currently is performed by the state.

North Carolina also has yet to have a toll road up and running five years after lawmakers authorized pay-to-drive highways. Raising the tax on automobile sales from 3 percent to 4 percent would raise $200 million annually.

"There's no doubt that resources are required to meet our growing transportation needs," said Beau Mills, director of the N.C. Metropolitan Coalition, comprised of the state's largest cities.

Republicans have been cool to raising taxes. Democrats, who control both the House and Senate, could be criticized by the GOP in next year's elections if they push through new revenues without bipartisan support.

GOP legislative leaders have said one simple solution is to stop transferring $172 million annually from the Highway Trust Fund to the state's general operating fund. The amount could be used to make payments on proposed $2 billion transportation bond package.

Wilson, a former state Board of Transportation member and general counsel to Gov. Jim Hunt, said without a solution, more companies interested in expanding will avoid North Carolina because traffic continues to worsen.

"It is having a chilling effect on the state's ability to attract new jobs," Wilson said. "If other states are smart, they would be using it against us."