Two related chapters in the North Carolina General Statutes govern the spending of money to influence state officials.  The State Government Ethics Act (G.S.

Two related chapters in the North Carolina General Statutes govern the spending of money to influence state officials.  The State Government Ethics Act (G.S.

BlueSky Town resident, Dell Linquent, has fallen on tough times. She lost her job several months ago and is having trouble keeping up with all her bills. Dell owes $44 in annual licensing fees to BlueSky for her two dogs. She owes $130 in property taxes on her car to Carolina County and a $5 motor vehicle license tax to the town. Until a few months ago Dell ran a small landscaping business on the side. She had to close down the business because she was not able to pay her vendors. She also failed to pay her annual privilege license tax of $100.

BlueSky Town resident, Dell Linquent, has fallen on tough times. She lost her job several months ago and is having trouble keeping up with all her bills. Dell owes $44 in annual licensing fees to BlueSky for her two dogs. She owes $130 in property taxes on her car to Carolina County and a $5 motor vehicle license tax to the town. Until a few months ago Dell ran a small landscaping business on the side. She had to close down the business because she was not able to pay her vendors. She also failed to pay her annual privilege license tax of $100.

Just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get from the General Assembly.  The current legislative session is only a couple of months old and already we’ve gotten booze-filled chocolates, an

Just like a box of chocolates, you never know what you’re going to get from the General Assembly.  The current legislative session is only a couple of months old and already we’ve gotten booze-filled chocolates, an

Pauline Purchaser has advertised a contract and is pleased by the number of bids she’s received.  When she opens the bids, much to her dismay, she discovers that all are way over budget.  As Pauline regroups to figure out what went wrong, she realizes there was a flaw in the specifications.  She decides to reject all bids, rewrite the specs, and start over.   It won’t take long – the flaw in the specs is easy to fix – so she can proceed quickly and keep the project on track.  As Pauline reports her plan to her manager, he says, “Wait!

Pauline Purchaser has advertised a contract and is pleased by the number of bids she’s received.  When she opens the bids, much to her dismay, she discovers that all are way over budget.  As Pauline regroups to figure out what went wrong, she realizes there was a flaw in the specifications.  She decides to reject all bids, rewrite the specs, and start over.   It won’t take long – the flaw in the specs is easy to fix – so she can proceed quickly and keep the project on track.  As Pauline reports her plan to her manager, he says, “Wait!

If you live in a North Carolina municipality (city, town, village), what services is your municipal government required to provide or what functions is it required to serve? Is your municipality required to collect your garbage? Must it establish zoning regulations? How about maintain streets or provide street lighting? Abate nuisances? Provide recreation services? Is it mandated to provide social services or ensure the availability of affordable housing? Are water and sewer services required? Fire protection? What about law enforcement?

If you live in a North Carolina municipality (city, town, village), what services is your municipal government required to provide or what functions is it required to serve? Is your municipality required to collect your garbage? Must it establish zoning regulations? How about maintain streets or provide street lighting? Abate nuisances? Provide recreation services? Is it mandated to provide social services or ensure the availability of affordable housing? Are water and sewer services required? Fire protection? What about law enforcement?