Local governments are always looking for creative ways to collect their taxes. While the pillory pictured here would be pretty darn effective, I can’t recommend it on legal or moral grounds. But plenty of more acceptable options exist beyond those that are explicitly referenced in the Machinery Act. Durham County, for example, uses a super-cool [...]
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. Chapter 138A) sets ethical standards for the state officials themselves, and the lobbying laws (G.S. Chapter 120C) govern interactions between these officials and those who seek to influence their decision-making – in [...]
Are you a Coates’ Canons addict? Do you find yourself logging on in the middle of the night hoping to be the first to read yet another internet sweepstakes post? Do you now dread weekends because they stand between you and more scintillating analysis of local government debt financing? Okay, maybe not. But hopefully you’ve found our blog to [...]
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 official herring festival, and maybe even our very own North Carolina currency. (In the spirit of bi-partisanship, I’m pulling for [...]
Frank Graham inherited a 600-acre wooded tract located about a half mile outside a small town in rural North Carolina. With the economy turning around he is considering moving forward with development of the tract. He has been thinking a residential subdivision and shopping center would fit nicely on this tract. He thinks a portion [...]