We have some VERY good Bills introduced to reform the annexation laws and NOW is the time to write and call key legislators about these two Bills. They are:

Senate Bill 494 introduced by Senator Larry Shaw

House Bill 645 introduced by Rep's Dollar, Brown Goforth and Steen and now co-sponsored by Blackwood, Blust, Cleveland, McComas Starnes and Stewart. If you don't see your Representative's name on this Bill, call and ask them to add their name as a cosponsor.

Write to your Senator and ask them to co-sponsor Senate Bill 494

Write to your Representative and ask them to co-sponsor H645

Tell them that these are the only two Bills that go beyond tweaks and fix the problems with the law.

The people have overwhelmingly asked for meaningful oversight of city initiated annexations and feel that the County Commissioners should have oversight. They are closest elected body most familiar with the area and they represent ALL the citizens who are affected, inside and outside of the cities.

We have asked for reform of the issue of services provided by the cities by making it a requirement that the city that wants to annexed must be providing all urban services that are shown to be meaningful and necessary for the area being annexed. Replacing a good septic system is not meaningful or necessary. Landowners should not have to request water and sewer extensions if the city can prove that they can provide this service and it is needed in the area. Contracting with County service providers like the Sheriffs Dept or Volunteer Fire dept's is not meaningful or necessary.

The people want a meaningful voice in the decision to allow cities to initiate an annexation and better ways to make the city accountable for providing the services that they make promises to deliver in exchange for the right to initiate annexation.

These are not unreasonable things to ask for and expect.

Senate Bill 494 and House Bill 645 are the only two Bills that would make all of these changes to the law. 

The House Judiciary Committee needs to start hearing from you NOW about the horror stories of annexation as it is today and that H645 will end the abuse.

Simply tell the Legislators that S494 and H645 are the only two Bills that provide meaningful oversight, assure meaningful services, and a meaningful for everyone affected by a city initiated annexation. NONE of the other Bills will change the law in a meaningful way.

In order to win this battle for reform this year, the Legislators are going to need to hear from thousands of people from across NC. Your call, letter, or email counts!

Send a visual message to legislators about how strong the demand for reform is by attending the Rally for Reform on May 6^th.
SHOW the Legislators that we are serious and demand REAL reform by joining hundreds of citizens at the “NO TWEAKS” Rally For Reform.
http://www.stopncannexation.com/annexation_reform_rally_2009.htm

It’s up to all of us to push real annexation reform and speak louder than the NC League of Municipalities.
See what the League is saying to Legislators HERE:
http://www.nclm.org/documents/annexbillMarch2009.pdf