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N.C. seeks to control hydro project
CHARLOTTE — Gov. Bev Perdue wants a federal agency to hear the state’s argument for taking over Alcoa’s hydroelectric project on the Yadkin River. Perdue on Wednesday asked the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for an emergency hearing on her request to intervene in the renewal of Alcoa’s 50-year hydro license. Perdue, Obama aide hear about health care problems
GREENSBORO — Frank Amend of Rocky Mount lost his job less than two weeks before he underwent triple heart bypass surgery in 2006. Today he’s got another job, but the health insurance plan isn’t as generous and his family's monthly premiums are now $700, five times higher than they used to be. Add out-of-pocket costs to keep an eye on his condition and the family is spending more on health care than the mortgage payment. Insurance mandate seen as barrier for scooters
RALEIGH — The cost of driving a motor scooter would go up under a mandate for insuring the vehicles that cleared its first hearing Tuesday in the General Assembly. Some legislators think the proposal could eliminate one of few transportation options for motorists with histories of drunken-driving. They differed on whether that’s a good idea. Change in wind for public art
CHAPEL HILL — Next week a Washington, D.C., artist will put the finishing touches on a $420,000 stone wall and 40-foot marble bench outside the new Town Operations Center at Chapel Hill’s rural edge. The project is the latest example of the town’s Percent for Art program, which since 2002 has required municipal building projects to devote $1 out of every $100 spent to public art on the site. Now, the town’s Public Arts Commission wants the Town Council to double its commitment and dedicate 2 percent for art in public building projects. SEECA may ask state to take it in
WINSTON-SALEM -- The Southeastern Center for Contemporary Art - facing millions of dollars in crippling maintenance costs - is exploring a radical solution: giving itself to the state. Such a move would still need the approval of the state's top elected officials in the Council of State, which will meet Tuesday. They have not released an agenda yet, a spokesman in the governor's office said.
"We have indicated to the state our willingness to transfer our operations," said Thorns Craven, SECCA's board chairman."The (James G.) Hanes Foundation" - SECCA's most generous contributor, in land, facilities and annual donations - "have indicated their willingness to transfer the land," Craven said. "It's up to the state to say, 'OK, we've been made this offer. Who's in a position to accept it, and how do we do that?'"
HOT advocates make their pitch today
GREENSBORO -- When Heart of the Triad advocates make their pitch to area elected officials today, they will be closely watched by people who worry that the plan will bring unwanted development and new roads to their rural way of life.The Heart of the Triad is an ambitious plan to put the Triad "on the world map," in the words of Robbie Perkins, the former Greensboro council member who is co-chairman of the committee working on the plan.Winston-Salem, Greensboro, High Point, Kernersville and Forsyth and Guilford counties are being asked to adopt the plan. The plan calls for transforming 6,300 acres along the border between Guilford and Forsyth counties. The area could include centers of transportation logistics and high technology and a playground and living area for high-income retirees. It also could have an "intellectual-asset center" by creating partnerships among universities or with countries such as India or China.
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Why North Carolina Should Not Build High-Speed Rail
Because of their high costs, tiny benefits, and interference with property rights, North Carolina should not attempt to provide high-speed rail service. Instead, it should use its share of the $8 billion stimulus funds solely for incremental upgrades, such as safer grade crossings and signaling systems, that do not obligate state taxpayers to pay future operations and maintenance costs. Salisbury’s Fiber-Optic Cable System: Another corporate welfare project paid for by average taxpayers
Quick facts: - The City of Salisbury recently decided to build a $30 million fiber-optic cable system that will offer Internet, phone, and television service to Salisbury residents and businesses. The city is paying for this system with 20-year bonds.
- City officials promised subscription fees from 28 percent of city residents would cover the entire cost of the system.
- While fiber systems offer high speeds, many computer users favor laptop computers and are willing to trade lower speeds for the mobility of wireless Internet connections. Thus currently available wireless technology such as mobile broadband cards, Wi-Fi, and the rapidly growing WiMAX wireless technology could make it very difficult for the city to live up to its “paid by subscribers” promise, leaving property taxpayers to foot the bill.
- WiMAX technology works similarly to WiFi but can reach faster speeds, currently up to 10 mbps (million bits per second), and cover a greater distance, up to 30 miles. One WiMAX installation could cover the entire city of Salisbury.
- If the system cannot attract enough subscribers, city officials have stated that they will use an increase in property taxes of 9.5 cents per $100 valuation to fund the project.
- The average residential customer gains little from this system. Television and phone quality will not be appreciably better than private sector competitors, and the highest speeds available through fiber technology will come with a price tag too high for most residential subscribers.
- Who benefits? From the start, city officials have justified the investment by touting its economic development prospects. They hope it will bring in a younger, professional class as well as new businesses that require this type of service. If the city fails to attract the necessary number of subscribers, property taxpayers, many of whom cannot afford or do not need the system, will be left footing the bill for businesses.
Authors: Dr. Michael Sanera and Katie BethuneCity and County Issue Guide 2009
Policymakers in the many local governments of North Carolina face a host of important challenges. This issue guide offers solutions to problems that confront North Carolinians at municipal and county levels. The common thread in these recommendations is freedom. By increasing individual freedom, local governments can foster the prosperity of all North Carolinians and keep open avenues to innovative solutions from enterprising citizens. City and County Budget Crises: When in a hole, first stop digging
Quick facts: - This report documents the change in locally generated revenues of 98 North Carolina counties* and the 30 largest N.C. cities between 2002 and 2007.
- Locally generated revenues increased faster than population and inflation in 96 of 98 counties and 24 of 30 cities. In Union County, revenue increased 48 percent faster than population and inflation over five years.
- For that reason, many counties and cities are having financial difficulties because they have spent taxpayer revenues on unnecessary or low-priority projects.
- In addition, the public has recognized that counties must live with in their means. Since 2007, voters have rejected tax increases 66 of the 74 times that county commissioners asked for a tax increase. That is almost 90 percent of the time.
- Furthermore, this report provides information that is an essential starting point for citizens to hold their elected and unelected officials accountable for their spending decisions.
- County and city officials must do more to put budget and revenue information on the Internet in easily accessible formats.
* The counties of Graham and Scotland failed to report revenue information for Fiscal Year 2007 to the State Treasurer’s Office.
Authors: Joseph Coletti and Dr. Michael Sanera |
