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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:38 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — A North Carolina Senate bill invalidating some local government and community college smoking rules that go farther than state law is up for a committee vote.
The bill heads to the Senate Agriculture and Environment Committee Tuesday. The bill leaves intact a local government's authority to bar smoking in state buildings and public places but ends their authority to enact their own laws in outdoor settings.
The bill also applies to community college grounds and at outdoor college events.
North Carolina, the state perhaps most associated with the tobacco industry, has lagged behind others in passing smoking bans. But the state outlawed smoking in enclosed areas of almost all restaurants, bars and other businesses in 2010.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:39 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:02 |
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RALEIGH, (AP) — House Republicans want to prevent North Carolina city and county governments from collecting union dues from workers and requiring local employers to assume responsibilities related to pollution generated by their employees.
The bill was approved largely along party lines Monday night despite criticism by Democrats. The measure appears to mimic in part a law approved last year preventing the North Carolina Association of Educators and some other groups from having voluntary member dues deducted directly from teacher paychecks.
A judge later struck down the law.
A legislator and environmental group say another part of the bill would appear to block ordinances like what Durham approved that would direct local employers to encourage employee car pools or transit use or face monetary penalties.
The bill now goes to the Senate.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 10:39 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Tuesday, 14 May 2013 09:34 |
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CHARLOTTE, (AP) — The North Carolina State Bar says a former Mecklenburg County judge lied during an investigation.
The Charlotte Observer reported that former Mecklenburg County District Judge Bill Belk will face the bar's disciplinary hearing commission in August on charges of lying during a 2009 investigation into possible misconduct in office.
The bar's deputy counsel, Margaret Cloutier, says Belk faces disciplinary action ranging from warnings, reprimands and censure, to suspension of his law license and disbarment.
In a written response to the bar's charges, Belk denied that he lied and said his answers had been misconstrued.
Belk resigned as judge in November 2009. Six months later, the state Supreme Court found that Belk "demonstrated willful misconduct in office" and banned him from returning to the bench.
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Last Updated on Tuesday, 14 May 2013 09:35 |
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Local Government
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By Administrator
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Wednesday, 08 May 2013 12:58 |
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ASHEVILLE, (AP) — Asheville City Council has voted to sue the state to block a forced merger of its water system with the Metropolitan Sewerage District.
Mayor Terry Bellamy says he expects other cities to join the lawsuit.
Buncombe Rep. Tim Moffitt introduced the bill to force the merger. It was approved last week and is awaiting action by Gov. Pat McCrory.
The measure calls for the merger to take place by May 15.
City officials say they think they have a good case because of a 1913 state Supreme Court decision suggesting there are constitutional limits on the General Assembly's power over municipal properties. |
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Last Updated on Wednesday, 08 May 2013 12:58 |
