by Daren Bakst
When the North Carolina legislature passed a statewide smoking ban in 2009, it gave local governments the power to exceed the state prohibition by restricting smoking in additional locations, including local government grounds, such as parks.
As expected, municipalities have taken advantage of this power by restricting smoking in public outdoor areas. Earlier this year, Raleigh passed an ordinance banning smoking in parks and greenways.
RALEIGH, N.C. — The N.C. Coastal Resources Commission has invited several coastal North Carolina stakeholders to participate in a second workshop to discuss the status of rules governing sandbag use on the oceanfront and gather input on options for the future of the commission’s sandbag rules.
Invited stakeholders include representatives from coastal communities with a large number of sandbag structures, environmental groups and other interested parties.
The meeting will be at 1 p.m. Oct. 4 in the Soil and Water auditorium at the N.C. Cooperative Extension Office, 300 Industrial Drive, New Bern.
Cape Fear Business News’ most recent online poll question was “The Town of Leland is threatening to fine the owners of the Buy n’ Go Convenience Store because their American flag is “too big”, saying it violates the town’s ordinances. What is your opinion?”
The results:
By Daren Bakst
There’s little support for property rights in the North Carolina legislature. In fact, this past legislative session may have been one of the most discouraging sessions for those that care about this fundamental right.
The two major property rights issues before the legislature, eminent domain and annexation reform, weren’t addressed. The legislators largely fell into two camps. There were the legislators that simply didn’t want to limit eminent domain and forced annexation abuses. Then there were the other legislators that may like to see reforms but pushed legislation that was so ineffective and actually so harmful that many property rights advocates deemed their “efforts” to be insulting. www.johnlocke.org/policy_reports/display_story.html?id=85, http://johnlocke.org/spotlights/display_story.html?id=214
RALEIGH, N.C. – Kieran Shanahan, Chairman of the N.C. Property Rights Coalition, today issued the following statement on Governor Beverly Perdue’s ongoing effort to take over Alcoa’s dams on the Yadkin River:
“Governor Perdue’s continued push for a government takeover of Alcoa’s dams and other property along the Yadkin River should send a chill down the spine of every property owner in our North Carolina.
by Jenna Ashley Robinson
When North Carolina first suggested banning smoking in bars, some critics used reductio ad absurdum arguments to show that once lawmakers start taking away property rights on “public health” or “welfare” grounds, there was no telling where we could end up. Some writers parodied the situation by proposing outlandish bans that the state might consider next.
RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. House of Representatives’ Water Resources and Infrastructure Committee rejected a bill today that would have opened the door for the state to take over Alcoa’s privately owned dams, powerhouses and other facilities on the Yadkin River. A motion to move the bill, SB 967, out of the committee failed in a bipartisan 8-6 vote.
RALEIGH, N.C. – The N.C. Property Rights Coalition is joining the battle to prevent the State of North Carolina from seizing Alcoa’s private property, Chairman Kieran Shanahan announced today. The state is attempting to seize the dams, powerhouses and land Alcoa owns on the Yadkin River. The organization has launched a Web site describing the project: www.LeaveThatDamAlone.com.
by Daren Bakst
After the 2005 U.S. Supreme Court decision in Kelo v. New London, it’s constitutional for the government to seize private property for economic development reasons. For example, your house or church could be seized so that a wealthy developer could build a shopping mall on your property.
