To counter the projected $4 billion shortfall for the state’s budget, the N.C. House is today considering proposals to increase the income tax on residents making more than $500,000 a year from 7.75 to 8.25 percent, and raising the sales tax by a quarter-cent — adding installations, repairs and other services to the sales-tax roster. The tax proposals, as reported today in the News & Observer of Raleigh, would be accompanied by additional program cuts in education and social services.
The proposed changes to the budget delivered by the Senate in S.B. 202 came last night in a private meeting by the Democrats, who control the House, according to the N&O. Proposed cuts in services to the mentally ill and to the state’s students through increased class sizes could potentially be offset by the increase in taxes, which would need a 61-vote majority to pass the House.
— Nelda Holder, associate editor
state workers,not teachers should be given there walking papers and the more salaried positions must go,department heads,,state office workers,non-essentials,not more taxation of the people of the state of north carolina,we have already been taxed out of house and home,inflation has run amuck,reckless spending on everything,corruption in political offices,backroom deals,all the way, to misuse of the governors office,
hell no..no more taxation,,,services need to be cut ,and only potholes and busted waterlines be fixed or repaired ,and healthcare,only these things ,no other state or county nothing… for about 3 years straight,we are taxed to the point of rebellion…and as a duly elected soil and water supervisor of north carolina,i dont agree with more taxation of the residents,i believe in cutting political personel,and services,,most residents of this state agree with me…sincerely hoping the current governor agrees in knid,,jeff turner ..buncombe soil and water,,disclaimer…these are the thoughts of philip jeff turner only,and in no way represent the thoughts of anyone else,
When government shortfalls occur, politicians and school boards always manipulate public opinion by talking about cutting teachers and raising class size.
Only a few states and local boards have had the gumption to cut (gasp!) athletics and recreation. Even food service, transportation, technology, building and grounds maintenance, and other non-instructional programs could be cut back or put on hold for a while. The public has been duped into thinking all these things are essential. Well, they are not.