Local government’s proper role

Concern about the nearly unchecked annexation power of North Carolina cities and counties has prompted a new legislative study of municipal annexation laws. As a House select annexation committee prepared to meet for the first time, JLF Legal and Regulatory Policy Analyst Daren Bakst worked with more than a dozen other groups to craft a Statement of Principles designed to help protect people from annexation abuse. Bakst shared his thoughts about the topic with Rhonda Bellamy on Wilmington’s WAAV Radio. Meanwhile, JLF Research Director and Local Government Analyst Michael Sanera offered his expertise about the proper role of local government in several venues. Sanera spoke to as many as 100 people in a session of the 47th annual North Carolina City and County Management Seminar at Research Triangle Park. He highlighted the example of Anaheim, Calif., a city that has used market-friendly policies to boost a decaying urban center. Sanera also used a letter to the Smoky Mountain News to help readers learn about “smart-growth” advocates’ efforts to instill their ideas in public school classrooms. At press time, Sanera was scheduled to appear on WPTF Radio’s morning show Saturday to discuss Raleigh’s debate over doubling city impact fees.