| | On April 23rd the House Select Committee voted 10-2 to
approve a
motion by Rep Goforth to have a moratorium on all existing
annexations in North Carolina, effective when it passes into law and
expires on June 30, 2009. This moratorium is for involuntary annexations and
voluntary
satellite annexations. Voluntary annexations by petitions were not
included. The next step is for it to pass the House, then the Senate, then
become law with the governor's signature. IT IS ONLY PROPOSED AT THIS
TIME! As you can imagine, the League of Municipalities is concerned
about this (see
the bulletin). It's time to make sure that our legislators pass this moratorium.
Contact your representatives and let them know to pass this. It would be a good idea to let the study commission know what a good job they've
done. Ladies
and Gentlemen:
Rep. Goforth proposed an amendment which basically restored the previously
deleted Section one and clarified that municipalities could still plan, but
could not do resolutions of intent, of consideration, or pass an annexation
ordinance. In addition, the dates were both changed by thirty days, from July 31
2008 as a start date to Aug 31 2008 and the end date from Apr 30, 2009 to May
31, 2009. The date change was to allow some cities to sneak in with the
effective date of annexations.
I don't have the details of what cities that might be, other than
Raleigh
.
That amendment was debated and passed 76 to 40.
The House passed our bill today by a vote of 98 to 15.
I could not make it due to the wife having a small medical problem today, but I
was near a computer to hear the result.
Now, please gin up your pens and phones and call, e-mail, write, and visit the
Senate leadership: Senator Basnight, and Senator Rand. Urge them to give this
bill a fair hearing.
We are not there yet, but folks, I hope you realize what a wonderful day this is
for annexation reform.
Sincerely,
Doug Aitken
FAC
Our Legislators
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