Mooneyham: Republicans dominate 2011 (Reflector)
When state lawmakers were sworn into office in January, Democrats no longer held legislative power in North Carolina.
For the first time in over a century, Republicans would control the state’s purse strings and its chief policymaking apparatus. The GOP wasted little time in letting folks know that it was a new day in Raleigh.
Within weeks, […]
Mayors coalition honors McGrady (BlueRidgeNow)
The North Carolina Metropolitan Mayors Coalition has given state Rep. Chuck McGrady its 2011 Legislative Award for his work on behalf of local government.
Asheville Mayor Terry Bellamy presented the award at the coalition’s December meeting in Charlotte, citing McGrady’s success in protecting local government decision-making on billboards in Senate Bill 183.
McGrady offered an amendment to […]
US mayors decry rise in poverty, homelessness (AFP)
WASHINGTON — US mayors sounded an alarm Thursday over deepening economic woes after a survey of 29 cities from Los Angeles to Washington showed worrying rises in homelessness and poverty-related food aid.
“Here is the richest country in the world (and) we have people who cannot find a place to live,” said Kansas City Mayor Sly […]
Red Line Moves Forward (WFAE)
About 150 elected officials and public employees from Charlotte to Mooresville and every town in between got a look Tuesday at a new plan to build a commuter rail, despite a lack of federal funds. It’s called the “Red Line” and the current scheme to pay for it would be a first in North Carolina.
Half […]
Off the Rails (Carolina Journal)
Changes need to be made in N.C. rail policies
We are pro-rail. We think railroads remains a viable transportation option forNorth Carolina, and that state policymakers should pursue a systematic strategy of removing impediments to the expansion and success of the railroad industry.
That’s one reason why we rail so much against taxpayer subsidies for passenger rail.
Long […]
Gastonia council fires city manager (The Charlotte Observer)
The decisions follow a campaign in which four candidates who described themselves as conservatives won election, vowing to answer complaints from some residents about actions taken by the former council.
About halfway through the meeting, council voted to release Jim Palenick as city manager. The vote was 4-2, with the four newly-seated council members in the […]
Highway Medians (Asheville Citizen-Times)
Some lawmakers may return for the 2012 legislative session with road-building on their minds. At issue is the state Department of Transportation’s tendency to favor building highways with a median rather than a center turn lane. Some lawmakers believe medians limit access to roadside businesses. Medians are one of a long list of transportation-related topics […]
John Hood’s Daily Journal Careful What You Wish For
RALEIGH – Members and staffers at the North Carolina League of Municipalities were understandably upset when the General Assembly enacted a major annexation-reform bill during the 2011 legislative session. But their latest legal gambit to overturn the legislation is not likely to work to their advantage.
For decades, North Carolina municipalities possessed a virtually unlimited power […]
NC Metropolitan Mayors Commission held in Charlotte (News 14)
CHARLOTTE — The Queen City hosted this year’s fall meeting of the North Carolina Metropolitan Mayor’s Coalition.
Charlotte Mayor Anthony Foxx and other mayors from North Carolina’s 27 largest cities gathered Thursday and Friday to share ideas regarding municipal growth in North Carolina.
“What’s significant about this is, it represents the tenth year that the coalition has […]
