Given the gaming industry’s aggressive litigation strategy against criminal sanctions, it seemed only a matter of time before internet sweepstakes operators responded similarly to the growing number of municipal privilege license taxes imposed on their businesses. That time has arrived. In late April lawyers for … Read more
Members of elected and appointed boards often disagree with each other. That can be considered to be a good thing – perhaps a sign that the board represents different points of view and reflects the various perspectives of its constituents. … Read more
UPDATE September 2013: In 2011 the General Assembly adopted legislation establishing standards for political signs within the right-of-way of NCDOT roads and highways, giving NCDOT the authority to enforce them. The adopted statute (G.S. 136-32) does, however, allow municipalities to … Read more
It is budget season. And, once again, local government officials face tough decisions about how to balance their annual budgets—Raise taxes and fees? Curtail services? Delay projects? Cut personnel? If my volume of phone calls is any indication, however, the … Read more
Many of you are aware that Governor Bev Purdue recently signed an executive order to give North Carolina businesses the opportunity to match the lowest bid when bidding on state contracts for the purchase of goods. You can find Executive … Read more
In an earlier blog, I discussed the meaning of “public office.” As promised, I will now examine multiple and ex officio office-holding.
With apologies to The Treasure of the Sierra Madre, the title of this post accurately summarizes my usual response when asked about the consequences facing a local government that fails to deliver property tax bills in a timely fashion. N.C. property tax law does … Read more
UPDATE August 2013: In 2011, a new exception was enacted to limit access to local government email subscriber lists. Click here for a summary of this exception. Local governments work hard to engage and inform their citizens. Technology now provides … Read more
The city has just issued you a notice of zoning violation. Other folks are doing the same thing you are and none of them have been cited. You believe the citation was prompted by the personal animosity of a city … Read more
Your local government has just awarded a contract for digital imaging software to Super Secret Software, Inc., after considering several proposals submitted in response to your request for proposals. Sour Grapes Software, LLC, one of the vendors who submitted a … Read more