The annexation moratorium bill is on the House calendar for the third reading. Bill sponsor, Rep. Bruce Goforth (D-Buncombe) moved to amend the bill, clarifying that cities could plan internally during the moratorium period but could not issue resolution intents or hold public hearings. The amendment also shifts the dates of the moratorium, changing the start date of July 31, 2008 to August 31, 2008.
Rep. Lucy Allen (D-Franklin) spoke against the amendment, saying it is so restrictive that no cities could grow.
Rep. Larry Brown said the League of Municipalities has abused the current law and has not proposed compromises as was promised. He also stressed that their authority needs to be restricted.
Rep. Dan Blue (D-Wake) said that the amendment creates a hardship for cities like Charlotte who have annexations in play and have a history of doing annexations the right way.
Rep. Becky Carney (D-Mecklenberg) said that the amendment hurts Charlotte.
Rep. Nelson Dollar (R-Wake) and Rep. Curtis Blackwood (R-Union) spoke in favor of the amendment, calling for breathing space to look at this 40-year-old law.
Rep. Lucy Allen (D-Franklin), in a clearly political move, said you can vote “no” on the amendment and vote “yes” on the bill and still get credit for voting for a moratorium.
Vote on the amendment:
Yes: 76
No: 40
Vote on the bill, as amended:
Yes: 98
No: 18
