Butt out.
Published March 13, 2015
By Tom Campbell
by Tom Campbell, Executive Producer and Moderator, NC SPIN, March 12, 2015.
As Republicans begin their fourth year leading our state legislature it is fair to assess how they and we are doing under their control. They’ve done some good things, some not so good and some downright awful. But we admit to being completely baffled by their blatant overreach into the affairs of local units of government in North Carolina. At the extreme they are behaving like the power-grabbing Dr. Strangelove. Even being kind we must liken them to a meddlesome, nosey cousin from Raleigh.
What makes their actions so hard to understand is that Republicans have long deplored the same treatment from our uncle in Washington, piously proclaiming that the government closest to the people is in the best position to make decisions for those people. But they seem unwilling to apply that same philosophy in the relationship between the state and local units of government.
North Carolina wisely decided not to implement home rule, a practice that allows local governments the ability to pass laws to govern themselves as they see fit. Local governments in North Carolina are a creation of and subject to jurisdiction by The General Assembly, a practice that has generally worked well for many years.
In times past legislators would sponsor “local bills,” usually prompted either by the local government, local groups or because other communities had enacted similar measures. These bills passed rather perfunctorily through both chambers, with the governor unable to veto them. But what was once a routine tradition began changing after Republicans took charge in 2011, and now seems to have done a 180-degree about face.
Let it be said there have been some examples when locals imposed unnecessary regulatory or jurisdictional zeal but they have been corrected either by local citizens electing new officials or by legislative checks and balances. Legislative interference should be the exception rather than the rule and occur only when local officials are either abusing or neglecting their responsibilities.
Now lawmakers seem to know what’s best for city and county governments and have no compunction in arbitrarily meddling in local affairs. Witness the attempted takeover of the Asheville water system, of Charlotte’s Douglas Airport, changes to local school boards made, how sales taxes could be used and the elimination of the privilege tax. These were made not because citizen groups or even local officials stormed Jones Street asking for change, but because one or more lawmakers decided to do so.
The latest flagrant impositions involve proposals to change the way the City of Greensboro elects Council positions and the way Wake County voters elect their County Commissioners. Did we mention that the interference in these local governments frequently seems focused on those municipalities and counties where Democrats are in the majority? If these redistricting ideas are so useful perhaps lawmakers should impose them on every county and city.
Enough. Our lawmakers need to heed the latest Elon University poll that clearly demonstrates that people trust their local governments more than state government and trust the federal government even less. Local governments should take notice because your nosey and unwanted cousin in Raleigh might be showing up on your doorsteps before long. It is time our lawmakers butt out of local matters unless there is obvious abuse or a clear mandate to do so.
March 13, 2015 at 9:08 am
Norm Kelly says:
So, the legislature is meddling in the affairs of local communities run by Demoncrats. Generally, the more meddling 'outsiders' do where demons are in control the better it is. However, Republicans are supposed to be for local control. While I appreciate Republicans putting demons in their place, giving back some of what they've doled out over the years/decades, it's still time for Republicans to get back to what matters, and get back to leaving locals alone. Generally speaking, we ARE better off when we are left alone by the next level of government up the chain.
Bug Demoncrats as much as possible. But leave citizens alone! This means letting those elected at the local level govern the way the locals want to be governed.
So, mostly I agree with this editorial. But I still like it when 'outsiders' irritate demons by meddling in their affairs!
March 13, 2015 at 6:18 pm
Kirt Landry says:
Republicans are proving again that they are poor leaders. They are fine complainers and campaigners, and say the right things, but then get into office and ruin it by doing differently.
Given the high number of unaffiliated voters, they are sure to find themselves out of office sooner than they would like.
Of course, they'll be shocked when it happens.
March 13, 2015 at 11:10 pm
Richard L Bunce says:
Tom, totally different scenarios. The States created the Federal government and in the 10th Amendment reserved their powers from infringement by the Federal government they created. The State Chartered Municipal Corporations are creations of the State government and the State Legislature has a responsibility to oversee their creations that they do not exceed the very limited powers they have been granted by the State. The form of the Greensboro municipal government IS a power of the State Legislature in that State Chartered Municipal Corporations Charter that was created and can only be modified by the State Legislature.
Tired of having to use a different name and email every so often to post without any notice or explanation as to why I can no longer post under old credentials. I have been told by persons associated with the website that it is not an issue on the websites end and yet when I use a new name and email it works again for awhile from the same browser. This is not a system subject to random actions.
March 14, 2015 at 12:11 am
bruce stanley says:
March 14, 2015 at 11:02 am
Richard L Bunce says:
I agree... with the regulations and fees the municipalities put these businesses through it is surprising any of them venture within city limits. Of course these government actions hit the least profitable businesses the hardest, including perhaps the worst of all the minimum wage increase. If this were income tax policy the folks defending these municipalities would be screaming about the war on the poor. Oh and these Democratic Party crocodile tears are fooling only their sycophants, they would happily use State and especially Federal power to squash these local governments if they were doing something they did not like. If the minimum wage advocates want to guarantee incomes then stop using private business, unprofitable or not, to do their dirty work. Set up a guaranteed income program directly funded with a broad based tax and leave business alone. Business does not exist to provide people with jobs or a guaranteed income.
March 14, 2015 at 12:20 pm
Tim Peck says:
"Witness the attempted takeover of the Asheville water system"
A calculated and deliberate mischaracterization in support of a weak premise.
The Water Act takes over NOTHING. What it does is give county ratepayers representation on the board and end the city's penchant for thievery.
Regional authority needed for accountability to users
http://timpeck.blogspot.com/2014/04/lte-water-merger.html
The water: Our Report to the North Carolina General Assembly
http://nchouse117.com/water/
How NC Municipalities Work
http://www.nclm.org/resource-center/Pages/How-Municipalities-Work.aspx
March 15, 2015 at 12:58 am
Bryan Smith says:
This is just sour grapes being poured out! Should not be called NC Spin but Liberal Spin to reflect the cosmology it advocates.
March 15, 2015 at 7:29 pm
Vince Loy says:
While Mr.Campbell's comments are mentioned to be a broad commentary on all the the actions of the NCGA, it has lumped all his objections to those indicated as meddling. In Rockingham County there are barely, if not just short of, 13000 public school students. When the three systems were consolidated years ago the three school boards were also merged. Not to offend anyone it swelled to 13 members which was reduced in the subsequent election to 11. There it has been for a decade or more with continued downward spiral of students. The county has a disgraceful graduation rate and test scores are abysmal. The bill before the House is reduce the board to 7 rather than the state mandated 5 per LEA was introduced by the local legislators that represent the LEA. It will be on a referendum which I personally disagree with since it did not get inflated to this level by the same means. I believe there are times that the legislators should do the job they were elected to do not hide behind, let the people decide philosophy. I would also thank you not to cast your net so wide as to include those doing the job that we sent them to Raleigh to do. We do not need a school board that rivals the size of the largest LEA'S in the state.
March 15, 2015 at 7:47 pm
Ray Midgett says:
Tom, have we forgotten that the State of North Carolina, under the Democrats had already repealed 99% of all business privilege licenses assessed by the state revenue department a few years ago.
