[Durham INC] Action: NC Senate votes not to concur with House Billboard Bill; pls send email

[John Schelp]

Folks,

Last night, the NC Senate voted not to concur with the amended (improved) House version of the Billboard Bill. Now the bill goes to a Conference Committee, where members work out the differences -- where Senators will try to take out some of the protections in the House amendments. The session ends tonight.

At this point it seems certain that some bill is going to pass. Therefore it is important to support the House bill.

Please send a short message to 5-6 Senators (any Senators, local connection, districts you visit) asking them to support the House version of the Billboard Bill. 

Emails for NC Senators: http://www.ncga.state.nc.us/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate 

In particular, ask Richard Stevens of Wake County to continue his good efforts to support local control and reduce tree cuts... Richard.Stevens at ncleg.net

Background on House version: a) gives local governments clear authority to pass stricter regulations than the state's, including regulations protecting vegetation; b) removes objectionable enforcement language that would have hamstrung NCDOT in regulating the billboard companies; and c) significantly reduces the increase in the vegetated cut zone, and increases the protections for existing trees.

Thank you. The pressure from the industry will be tremendous today.

with appreciation,

John Schelp