A rezoning petition is pending before the city council.  The parcel involved is zoned for single-family residential use.  The landowner wants to build a retail store on the site, so she is seeking a change in the zoning to a … Read more

As discussed in a previous post, local governments have broad authority to appropriate monies to private entities (including nonprofits, corporations, associations, and individuals). The monies, however, must be expended by the private entities only on projects, services, or activities that … Read more

As discussed in a previous post, local governments have broad authority to appropriate monies to private entities (including nonprofits, corporations, associations, and individuals). The monies, however, must be expended by the private entities only on projects, services, or activities that the local government could have supported directly.

As discussed in a previous post, local governments have broad authority to appropriate monies to private entities (including nonprofits, corporations, associations, and individuals). The monies, however, must be expended by the private entities only on projects, services, or activities that the local government could have supported directly.

UPDATE November 2013: The 2013 General Assembly enacted new voter identification requirements, including the requirement that voters to show photo identification, beginning in 2016.  See this Coates Canon post:  2013—A Year of Election Law Changes. UPDATE February 2017:  In July … Read more

Last week the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services entered into a settlement agreement with the federal government (see press release here). Pursuant to the agreement, the state is committed to implementing fairly significant changes related to housing and … Read more

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2013:As part of the FY 2013-14 Appropriations Act, the General Assembly established a new pilot program for the State-County Special Assistance program.  The 4-6 counties participating in the pilot will have a set amount of funding (i.e., block grant) rather than an open-ended 50/50 match. The pilot is also expected to test out implementation of tiered rates that are tied to the participant’s intensity of need.  See Section 12D.2 of S.L.

UPDATE SEPTEMBER 2013:As part of the FY 2013-14 Appropriations Act, the General Assembly established a new pilot program for the State-County Special Assistance program.  The 4-6 counties participating in the pilot will have a set amount of funding (i.e., block grant) rather than an open-ended 50/50 match. The pilot is also expected to test out implementation of tiered rates that are tied to the participant’s intensity of need.  See Section 12D.2 of S.L.

Property tax bills for the 2012-2013 fiscal year are arriving in mail boxes across North Carolina. Thankfully most taxpayers will pay up without further encouragement. But plenty will not, and it’s a long four months until these bills become delinquent … Read more

Property tax bills for the 2012-2013 fiscal year are arriving in mail boxes across North Carolina. Thankfully most taxpayers will pay up without further encouragement. But plenty will not, and it’s a long four months until these bills become delinquent in January 2013. The general rule, of course, is that enforced collection measures such as attachment and garnishment or foreclosure may not begin until taxes become delinquent. Are tax offices’ hands completely tied until then?