[Date]

Representatives Thomas, Goforth, & Walend
North Carolina General Assembly
Raleigh, NC 27601-1096

Re: Annexation Reform - House Bill 86


Representatives,

Thank you for sponsoring/co-sponsoring HB 86. Clearly, you are very familiar with how the current law is being applied across the state, and in Buncombe County in particular, and how it is causing undue hardship, and major turmoil. As you know, areas that are forcibly annexed are unfairly tax-burdened, and typically do not receive compensatory services in line with their newly imposed taxes. In addition, areas targeted for annexation are not able to vote for or against the City Council members who propose to annex them, raise their taxes, and impose their rule.

Thankfully, with the NC Supreme Court ruling "Nolan vs. the Village of Marvin" in January 2006, the legal system is starting to recognize the unjust ways the laws have been applied over the years. It's time to take legislative action to avoid further costly court battles, and make our municipalities return to responsible governing, where annexation is concerned!

There is a ground-swell of support for this new type of legislation, and voters are taking notice. This is the year to act, and bring our annexation-related State laws up to date with the rest of the majority of our great United States. Please put forth every effort to get this Bill, and other annexation reform bills, through Committee, and voted into law!

I offer you my full support in working to change this law. If there is anything I can do to help, please let me know. Keep up the good work.

Respectfully,
[Name]
[Address]
[City, State, Zip]
[Phone number]

 

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