A RESOLUTION ESTABLISHING THE TOWN OF CHAPEL HILL’S LEGISLATIVE PROGRAM FOR THE 2007 SESSION OF THE NORTH CAROLINA GENERAL ASSEMBLY (2007-02-26/R-12)

 

 WHEREAS, the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill conducted a meeting with Senators Bob Atwater and Eleanor Kinnaird and Representatives Joe Hackney, Larry Hall and Verla Insko on February 19, 2005, to discuss potential legislative issues of interest to the Town; and

 

 WHEREAS, the Council has, on October 23, 2006, January 31, 2007, February 12, 2007, and February 19, 2007, discussed publicly and afforded the opportunity for public input on proposed items for inclusion in the Town’s legislative program for the 2007 Session of the North Carolina General Assembly; and

 

WHEREAS, the Council has considered the comments of its citizens and members of the Legislative Delegation;

 

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Council of the Town of Chapel Hill that the Council hereby establishes the following as its Legislative Program for consideration in the 2007 Session of the General Assembly:  

A.  Priority Local Issues

The Council requests, as its two top priorities for local legislation for the Town, that the Delegation introduce and support bills that would:

  1. Grant the Town authority to establish local publicly funded programs for campaigns for municipal elective office.
  2. Grant the Town authority to provide incentives to encourage energy efficiency and conservation in new development.  

B.  Priority Statewide Issue

The Council requests, as its first priority for statewide legislation that the Delegation support legislation that would provide additional revenue options for local governments, including

  1. Real estate transfer tax, perhaps earmarked for specific public uses such as transportation improvements or open space preservation.
  2. Gas tax.
  3. Vehicle registration fee.
  4. One-half cent sales tax.

C.  Council Position on Additional Statewide Legislative Matters

The Council requests that the Delegation note and consider the Council’s position with respect to the following statewide legislative matters:

 

Transportation matters:

  1. Support for flexibility in using transportation funds historically earmarked for road improvements for other transportation-related needs, including signal systems, public transportation and bicycle and pedestrian oriented improvements.
  2. Support legislative review of the formula used to distribute state and federal moneys for transportation improvements across the state.

Environmental matters:

  1. Support for other legislative initiatives and incentives that will encourage and promote the use of energy efficient construction methods by public agencies and the private sector, including but not limited to:
    1. Authority to provide incentives (grants or rebates) to private property owners installing renewable energy producing systems in existing as well as new development.
    2. Authority to require private development to meet energy conservation standards as part of construction by adjustments to the state building code.
    3. State grants or other incentives to local public agencies whose construction projects meet energy conservation standards or which install renewable energy producing systems.
  2. Support for legislation that promotes development and use of renewable energy resources, specifically, implementation of a 20 percent Renewable Energy and Energy Efficiency Portfolio Standard to aid in statewide efforts for carbon reduction.
  3. Support enactment of legislation to promote waste reduction and reduce the waste stream going into local landfills, including the recycling of beverage containers, a beverage container deposit act and other initiatives that promote the growth of the recycling of materials as an industry.
  4. Oppose proposed legislation that would allow cutting of trees along highway right of way to enhance visibility of outdoor advertising signs.

Other Legislative issues:

  1. Support adjustments to increase the scope of the homestead tax exemption.
  2. Support for legislative efforts to study/reconsider State law on the imposition of capital punishment.
  3. Support the League of Municipalities’ position regarding protecting the State’s current annexation law.
  4. Oppose any proposed Constitutional amendment defining marriage as only the union of one man and one woman.
  5. Support the repeal of the North Carolina Defense of Marriage Act.
  6. Include sexual orientation as a category under North Carolina hate crimes law.
  7. 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.

Other State funding issues:

  1. 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.
  2. Support State funding of the State Highway Patrol 800MHz trunked radio system known as VIPER (Voice Interoperability Project for Emergency Responders).
  3. 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.

D.  Other Local Legislative Matters

The Council requests that the Delegation note and consider the Council’s position with respect to the following additional potential local legislative matters and consider introducing:

  1. A local bill to authorize an additional tax on utility bills to provide funding to put overhead power distribution lines underground.
  2. A local bill to authorize 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.

This the 26th day of February, 2007.