One step forward … maybe. The House gave final legislative approval Thursday to a compromise on cost-cutting measures to the state employee and teacher health insurance plan that's expected to retain a premium-free option for current workers for their own coverage. The House voted 90-24 on the final piece of legislation that, combined with another bill on Gov. Beverly Perdue's desk, helps close an estimated $515 million shortfall for the plan through mid-2013. The Senate agreed to the compromise Wednesday. The political fight already had led to one Perdue veto, but the governor said Thursday she'll sign both pieces of legislation to end the impasse. The pair of bills ends a month-long stalemate over whether the state would require the 322,000 active workers to pay a monthly premium of roughly $8 to $22 per month. This compromise is the first of a few that will have to occur between the Governor’s office and the General Assembly in order to see adjournment this summer.
Also this week, the House gave final approval to legislation that would put a number of new requirements on cities and towns when they involuntarily annex areas into their corporate limits. The House passed H 845 Annexation Reform Act of 2011 by a vote of 107-9. The legislation will now be considered by the Senate, which earlier approved a moratorium of involuntary annexations. The changes include allowing a petition of 60 percent of property owners in the area to block a proposed annexation. Cities and towns also could no longer charge for water and sewer service hookups under some circumstances.
NCHBA moved a major legislative priority forward this week as well. S 731 Zoning/Design and Aesthetic Controls clarifies that zoning ordinance regulations on non-structural building design elements such as exterior building color, exterior ornamentation, door or window styling or requirements for specific floor plans, may not be applied to residential districts where the density is 5 dwelling units/ac or less. S 731 passed the Senate by a vote of 38-10. You can see the yes and no votes by clicking here. S 731 now resides in the House Government Committee.
|
