Sen. Trudy Wade of Greensboro has filed a bill to allow legal notices to be posted online instead of in print. The proposed law gives the online option to counties and cities, provided they pass a local ordinance.
North Carolina newspapers remain the go-to source for the public to see official local government notices about zoning proposals, vendor contracts and public hearing dates.
Wade and other lawmakers say it makes sense today to give city and county governments the option to post legally required public notices on their own websites, rather than continue paying newspapers to run them.
A North Carolina Press Association attorney says the bill would make it harder for the public to learn about government activities. An association bill with the backing of Senate Rules Chairman Tom Apodaca would keep the print ad requirements intact while requiring free postings on newspaper websites.
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