North Carolina Counties Fight Land Grab Bill

0:00Leaders from Halifax, Vance, and Warren counties in North Carolina, along with a Native American tribe, gathered at the state legislative building on, April 28, 2026, to push back hard against Senate Bill 214. The bill would let Franklin County snatch up land in those neighboring areas without getting approval from local leaders, sparking a big fight over, county boundaries and resources, proponents say it's all about securing water for Franklin County, which faces shortages down the road, but the bill's wording goes way broader, allowing them to grab real estate or even condemn property with no strings attached. The Senate already passed to mostly along party lines last week, but the House hit pause after heated debates, tabling the vote and yanking it from. Tuesday's calendar. Local folks are fired up, calling it a power grab that hits economically struggling minority communities the hardest. Mayors, commissioners, and tribal reps stress that these aren't just maplines, their homes, families, and legacies, and they won't stand for more.

1:03Birdons on people already stretched in. Critics slammed the rush roll out too, saying it's snuck into a conference report that couldn't be tweaked, and it ignores a 2016. Supreme Court ruling blocking local bills from messing with health or sanitation issues. They argue it's straight up illegal and immoral, like stealing land and water without consent. While they're open to teaming up on a real water plan through proper channels with respect and negotiation, this unilateral move crosses the line. For now, the bill sits sideline as the pushback builds. I'm Cory with the story. That's your Durham News Today update. AI powered and always on.