News Blog
No LDC action in Lej, but secondhand dealer proposal revived
Democratic legislators' efforts to advance a package of local development corporation reforms during Tuesday's Legislature meeting were short-lived.
The caucus had unveiled and introduced the legislation, which called for eight specific reforms, earlier in the day. The sponsor, Legislator Paul Haney, submitted them as matters of urgency so that, with Adair's consent, they could be brought up during last night's meeting. Adair rejected the legislation, however. (A post yesterday described the Dems' proposals.)
During the meeting, Haney tried to bring up the proposals anyway using a procedural maneuver. But ultimately the Republican majority wouldn't go along so the legislation wasn't voted on or even discussed.
Also during the meeting, Republican Legislator Carmen Gumina resurrected his legislation to require pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, and coin exchanges to get licenses from the county. It would also require dealers to photograph any item they purchase to resell, and to submit that photo to a sheriff's office-operated database.
The original legislation generated concern and opposition from some secondhand dealers and antique shops, which ultimately led Gumina to table the legislation. Over the past few months, he's worked with Democratic Legislator Michael Patterson to reach out to some of the businesses, and last night they introduced amendments to the legislation. The amendments provided exemptions for some antiques and secondhand businesses.
The Legislature set a public hearing on the proposed law for its December 10 meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. and will be held in Legislature chambers at the County Office Building, 39 West Main Street.
The caucus had unveiled and introduced the legislation, which called for eight specific reforms, earlier in the day. The sponsor, Legislator Paul Haney, submitted them as matters of urgency so that, with Adair's consent, they could be brought up during last night's meeting. Adair rejected the legislation, however. (A post yesterday described the Dems' proposals.)
During the meeting, Haney tried to bring up the proposals anyway using a procedural maneuver. But ultimately the Republican majority wouldn't go along so the legislation wasn't voted on or even discussed.
Also during the meeting, Republican Legislator Carmen Gumina resurrected his legislation to require pawnbrokers, secondhand dealers, and coin exchanges to get licenses from the county. It would also require dealers to photograph any item they purchase to resell, and to submit that photo to a sheriff's office-operated database.
The original legislation generated concern and opposition from some secondhand dealers and antique shops, which ultimately led Gumina to table the legislation. Over the past few months, he's worked with Democratic Legislator Michael Patterson to reach out to some of the businesses, and last night they introduced amendments to the legislation. The amendments provided exemptions for some antiques and secondhand businesses.
The Legislature set a public hearing on the proposed law for its December 10 meeting, which starts at 6 p.m. and will be held in Legislature chambers at the County Office Building, 39 West Main Street.
