(RALEIGH) -- A battle over how cities can expand their land area is back in the legislature's hands this year after a bill passed last year was struck down in court. The State Senate is making quick work of changes which will require a referendum vote for annexations.

Ellis Hankins with the North Carolina League of Municipalities said limiting the power of cities to grow will have a negative economic impact.  "This is just part of the general anti-government, anti-tax mindset. It's easy to says, well, somebody else can pay, somebody has to pay and it's just an issue of fairness," said Hankins.

Landowners complained for years that cities abused involuntary annexation by failing to offer city services in a timely manner while requiring them to pay additional city taxes. The only recourse of landowners was to sue.