A proposed law could dramatically affect how Greensboro is governed. State Senator Trudy Wade's legislation is proposing the most significant restructuring of the City Council in more than 30 years.
Senate Bill 36 would shrink the size of the council, fundamentally change the role and powers of the mayor, lengthen council terms, and reduce the number of council members who are elected at-large. According to the Greensboro News and Record, the legislation also puts four current City Council members in the same district.
Thursday, some City Council members and Mayor Nancy Vaughan spoke on Wade's bill to reshape the council. Among the council members' complaints were provisions that would eliminate at-large council members, add a new veto power for the mayor and draw four council members into a single new district.
Councilman Tony Wilkins defended parts of the bill and criticized his fellow council members for holding the press conference. He said that the city did not understand who was in charge. Some council members said this was a power grab by the General Assembly – others said they felt the city's spending priorities were unbalanced.
City Attorney Tom Carruthers said he has concerns about the legality of the bill. A full draft of the proposed legislation is here.
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