Every county in our state has a county seat, in which sits the county courthouse and oftentimes other county offices. For many towns, especially in rural areas, being the county seat is a point of pride, marking the identity of … Read more
As Hurricane Irene barreled toward the eastern seaboard and North Carolina’s coast, local communities and state and local officials braced for a potentially significant hit. Hyde County declared a local state of emergency. Under its declaration it ordered a mandatory … Read more
A massive hurricane is bearing down on the coast. Coates County issues a state of emergency declaration ordering a mandatory evacuation and prohibiting alcohol sales (just to be on the safe side). Citizens in the Town of Albert start calling … Read more
One of the bills enacted by the General Assembly this session imposed new requirements for “owner-contractor” building construction projects. S.L. 2011-376 (HB 648) is summarized in the Purchasing and Contracting Legislative Wrap-up blog post and the 2011 Purchasing and Contracting … Read more
You want to run for city council, but you or your company has a contract with the city (or maybe you want to run to be a county commissioner and the contract is with the county). Can you be a … Read more
The North Carolina General Assembly adjourned on June 18, 2011 and will reconvene next month on July 13th. When it reconvenes in July, the legislature will only consider a narrow list of bills, namely redistricting, election laws, legislative appointments to boards and commissions, … Read more
A tornado has ripped through Coatesville, damaging its water and sewer system, tearing the roof off of town hall, destroying the police department’s vehicles, and leaving tons of debris in its wake. The town declares a state of emergency and … Read more
Next Wednesday, June 1st, marks the official kick-off of the Atlantic hurricane season. Even as we brace for it, we need only look to the April 16th tornados in the piedmont and coastal plain to be reminded that disasters threaten … Read more
Two related chapters in the North Carolina General Statutes govern the spending of money to influence state officials. The State Government Ethics Act (G.S. Chapter 138A) sets ethical standards for the state officials themselves, and the lobbying laws (G.S. Chapter 120C) … Read more
Pauline Purchaser has advertised a contract and is pleased by the number of bids she’s received. When she opens the bids, much to her dismay, she discovers that all are way over budget. As Pauline regroups to figure out what … Read more