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RALEIGH – North Carolinians opposed to the state's forced annexation laws came together in Raleigh Saturday. Organizers with the StopNCAnnexation Coalition hosted their first annexation reform conference.

Ken Wadsworth made the trip from his home in Wayne County to be at the conference. Goldsboro recently annexed his neighborhood into the city. He says it nearly doubled his taxes.

"The city doesn't have anything to offer that we don't already have,” Wadsworth said.

That sentiment was echoed by many of the homeowners who attended the conference.

"The people really have no say in this,” said Betty Jackson, of Buncomb County.

The StopNCAnnexation Coalition has organized rallies around the state. They hope conferences can provide more education for those who want to get the law changed.

"We can be ready when the General Assembly goes into session. Speak up and have a position on it,” said Catherine Heath, with StopNCAnnexation.

Heath and others argue the state's current law is outdated. They say a bill approved by the House last year to update the law doesn't go far enough. The group will ask Senators not to pass it in the spring.

That's good news for Wadsworth, who doesn't feel his voice was heard.

"Start again, and have a bill designed actually benefiting the citizens,” he said.

State Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger and Democrat Larry Shaw were two of several legislators who came to speak at the conference. Shaw introduced a bill to modify annexation laws in the state. It is currently in the Senate Finance Committee.

The General Assembly reconvenes in May.