local control

Folks, the fight for local option funding sources has started to get hot. I'm on the WakeUP Wake County newsletter, and they're buzzing about Janet Cowell's proposal to let Wake County impliment a transfer tax.

As I mentioned in my kick-off post, we've got a lot better shot at this if every county doesn't try to bull rush the door and get their own bill. Currently, Orange and Chatham counties can charge school impact fees, and no one else, despite decades of trying by other counties. As such, I'm opposed to Janet Cowell's bill, just because it's a one-county deal. Let's settle this once and for all, for the whole state.

There are a number of bills in the general assembly about this right now. I'm saying, let's take a look at them here, find one (or more) to back, and give it a push from behind.

Under the Dome today notes that there are now several bills in the NC Lege focused on giving local governments more revenue stream options for dealing with rapid growth.

Five counties, including Wake and Chatham, have asked for a 1 percent transfer tax on real estate sales this session. A fifth bill would give every county the option of levying such a tax.

Glad to hear it.

Todd McGee, spokesman for the N.C. Association of County Commissioners, said lawmakers seem more open to approving the transfer tax this session than they have been in a long time.

"In years past, it's been a downright 'No, we're not going to do that,' " McGee said.

Looks like lawmakers in Raleigh are getting the message.