Butt Out | Eastern North Carolina Now

    As Republicans begin their fourth year leading our state legislature it is fair to assess how they and we are doing under their control. They've done some good things, some not so good and some downright awful. But we admit to being completely baffled by their blatant overreach into the affairs of local units of government in North Carolina. At the extreme they are behaving like the power-grabbing Dr. Strangelove. Even being kind we must liken them to a meddlesome, nosey cousin from Raleigh.

    What makes their actions so hard to understand is that Republicans have long deplored the same treatment from our uncle in Washington, piously proclaiming that the government closest to the people is in the best position to make decisions for those people. But they seem unwilling to apply that same philosophy in the relationship between the state and local units of government.

    North Carolina wisely decided not to implement home rule, a practice that allows local governments the ability to pass laws to govern themselves as they see fit. Local governments in North Carolina are a creation of and subject to jurisdiction by The General Assembly, a practice that has generally worked well for many years.

    In times past legislators would sponsor "local bills," usually prompted either by the local government, local groups or because other communities had enacted similar measures. These bills passed rather perfunctorily through both chambers, with the governor unable to veto them. But what was once a routine tradition began changing after Republicans took charge in 2011, and now seems to have done a 180-degree about face.

    Let it be said there have been some examples when locals imposed unnecessary regulatory or jurisdictional zeal but they have been corrected either by local citizens electing new officials or by legislative checks and balances. Legislative interference should be the exception rather than the rule and occur only when local officials are either abusing or neglecting their responsibilities.

    Now lawmakers seem to know what's best for city and county governments and have no compunction in arbitrarily meddling in local affairs. Witness the attempted takeover of the Asheville water system, of Charlotte's Douglas Airport, changes to local school boards made, how sales taxes could be used and the elimination of the privilege tax. These were made not because citizen groups or even local officials stormed Jones Street asking for change, but because one or more lawmakers decided to do so.

    The latest flagrant impositions involve proposals to change the way the City of Greensboro elects Council positions and the way Wake County voters elect their County Commissioners. Did we mention that the interference in these local governments frequently seems focused on those municipalities and counties where Democrats are in the majority? If these redistricting ideas are so useful perhaps lawmakers should impose them on every county and city.

    Enough. Our lawmakers need to heed the latest Elon University poll that clearly demonstrates that people trust their local governments more than state government and trust the federal government even less. Local governments should take notice because your nosey and unwanted cousin in Raleigh might be showing up on your doorsteps before long. It is time our lawmakers butt out of local matters unless there is obvious abuse or a clear mandate to do so.

    Publisher's note: Tom Campbell is former assistant North Carolina State Treasurer and is creator/host of NC SPIN, a weekly statewide television discussion of NC issues airing Sundays at 11:00 am on WITN-TV. Contact Tom at NC Spin.