Chapel Hill Town Council

2007 Legislative Issues for Discussion
with Local Senators and Representatives

7:30 a.m., February 19, 2007

Local Issues

  1. Authority to require private developers to contribute to public art or provide art as part of new development projects.
  2. Campaign and election law changes, including authority for local publicly financed campaigns.
  3. Authority to require private development to meet energy conservation standards as part of construction.
  4. Authority to provide incentives to encourage energy efficiency and conservation in new development.
  5. Authority to enact a local real estate transfer tax, perhaps earmarked for specific public uses, such as transportation improvements or open space preservation.
  6. Reconsideration of a local bill to authorize an additional tax on utility bills to provide funding to put overhead power distribution lines underground.
  7. Authorization of a $1.00 per-ticket fee on tickets priced at $30 or higher for events at large venues, with the revenue being earmarked for public transportation and public safety funding.

Statewide Issues

  1. Oppose any proposed Constitutional amendment defining marriage as only the union of one man and one woman.
  2. Support the repeal of the North Carolina Defense of Marriage Act.
  3. Include sexual orientation as a category under North Carolina hate crimes law.
  4. Support the repeal of N.C.G.S. 95-98 and replace it with a law that would establish collective bargaining rights for public employees.
  5. Support the League of Municipalities’ position regarding protecting State’s current annexation law.
  6. Support an adjustment to the law enforcement supplemental retirement program to provide that each agency where a retiree worked shall contribute a pro rata portion of the retirement allowance.
  7. A proposal to authorize local governments to provide incentives (grants or rebates) to private property owners installing renewable energy producing systems in existing as well as new development.
  8. Support adjustments to increase the scope of the homestead tax exemption.
  9. Support State funding of the State Highway Patrol 800MHz trunked radio system known as VIPER (Voice Interoperability Project for Emergency Responders).
  10. Support for additional revenue options for local governments, including:
    1. Gas tax.
    2. Vehicle registration fee.
    3. One-half cent sales tax.
  11. Support for additional funding for:
    1. Mental health treatment programs
    2. Technology to enhance emergency services  communication and  communication between the justice system and public safety personnel
    3. Pre-kindergarten educational programs
    4. Gang awareness and interdiction programs
    5. Fire protection services provided to state facilities
  12. Support enactment of legislation to promote waste reduction, including the recycling of beverage containers and a beverage container deposit act.   
  13. Oppose proposed legislation that would allow cutting of trees along highway right of way to enhance visibility of outdoor advertising signs.