SOUTHERN CITY Quarter 1 2023 30 Members Approve Legislative Goals SCOTT MOONEYHAM NCLM Director of Political Communication & Coordination AFTER MONTHS OF LISTENING SESSIONS, LEGISLATIVE POLICY COMMITTEE MEETINGS, AND FINALLY ELECTRONIC VOTING BY MEMBER CITIES AND TOWNS, THE NC LEAGUE OF MUNICIPALITIES APPROVED ITS LEGISLATIVE GOALS FOR THE 2023–24 LEGISLATIVE BIENNIUM. From 408 municipal goal proposals submitted through this process, falling into 50 distinct subject matter areas, 155 cities and towns approved a top 10 list of goals that now make up NCLM’s final legislative agenda. Not surprisingly, infrastructure-related goals were again a top priority, closely followed by proposals involving keeping cities and towns financially healthy. Housing and law enforcement training were also top concerns of North Carolina’s municipal leaders. Of course, to turn these priorities into successful achievements, and get them passed into law, will not be easy. It never is. But it is important to note that the broad involvement of a diverse array of cities and towns, and their elected and appointed leaders, helps to make the case at the General Assembly that these goals represent the priorities of the municipalities in legislators’ districts, no matter where they live. “Hundreds of cities and towns and their officials from across North Carolina gave their input and prioritized these legislative goals. These goals truly reflect the top priorities of all our cities and towns, whether small or large, and achieving them will move our economy even further ahead,” said Erin Wynia, NCLM’s Director of Government Affairs. In addition to the voting, 111 officials from cities and towns participated in various in-person and virtual discussions, while the 65-member Policy Committee and NCLM Board of Directors played key roles in considering and narrowing priorities and developing goal language. As the legislative session heats up, expect to see legislation that encompasses some of the aims of these goals. Some, especially those in the area of infrastructure, could show up in provisions in a state budget bill. Others may come in the form of standalone bills. Whatever the case, the advocacy of NCLM members will continue to be needed to try to gain legislative support. As always, that will involve individual conversations with legislators, as well as making the case through other forms of communication and even in formal committee hearings. With that in mind, here are the member-approved 10 Legislative Goals for 2023–24, along with the subject areas approved by the League Board of Directors, and some brief talking points that can be used to demonstrate their importance to the challenges faced by North Carolina’s cities and towns. RESILIENT INFRASTRUCTURE Create an adequate and permanent funding stream for local infrastructure. • Infrastructure—including roads, water, sewer, stormwater, parks, and beaches—is critical to economic development and job creation. • Many cities in the state are growing, creating a constant need for investment to keep pace with population growth; many cities and towns also have aging infrastructure that must be replaced. • Creating more permanent funding streams for local infrastructure, such as a dedicated tax source, would allow for better planning to meet needs. Expand state transportation funding streams for construction and maintenance for municipal and state-owned secondary roads. • Current Powell Bill and other state funding is not adequate to address transportation needs, particularly as they affect municipal and state-owned secondary roads. WORKING AS ONE. ADVANCING ALL.
RkJQdWJsaXNoZXIy MTY1NDIzOQ==