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Unincorporated Areas Now Have More Muscle To Fight Annexation

A bill allowing people who live in unincorporated areas of North Carolina to vote to stop forced annexations by towns and cities will become law now that Gov. Bev Perdue has refused to sign it. Rather than sign or veto the bill, Perdue let it become law without her signature. In a statement, Perdue says the bill has shortcomings and she urged lawmakers to reconsider the issue. Republican legislative leaders quickly moved the referendum bill in response to a court ruling in March that struck down a procedure the General Assembly approved last year by which landowners could file petitions blocking annexation. City boosters argue the election methods discourage healthy municipal growth.