newsobserver.com projects - Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option - Comments

Is it too late?

generationx — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 07:18:13 -0400

Is it too late to being back Governor Hunt to straighten this mess out? We need some leadership here, not one-liners! A true leader can show you more than one path to the destination.

When the road is blocked think in terms of a detour.......especially when the road is littered with broken down families who are already struggling. Think of the whole state rather than a few special interests.

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

joejoe — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 05:40:18 -0400

No wonder the Governor,Rand, Basnight and others like them have the need to raise our tax's when they allow approvals like the Director of N C Alcohol Law Enforcement to purchase new weapons(150) @ $1100.00 each with a total of $165,000.00, which where not needed. When will the useless spending stop?

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

TruthNGovt — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 21:25:09 -0400

In case you have been living in a cave the last six months, WE ACTUALLY DO HAVE A HUGE BUDGET DEFICIT AND WE CAN'T BUDGET CUT OUR WAY OUT OF IT. The Governor is doing the right thing for our state by proposing a temporary sales tax increase.

North Carolina politicians are not to blame

JustWondering — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 19:18:40 -0400

for this budget situation. Over the past eight years, the U.S. Congress, President Bush, and the former chairman of the Federal Reserve all made some really bad economic decisions and foreign policy decisions, and now the states are facing the consequences. It was irresponsible to wage war without authorizing a draft and raising enough revenues to pay for the war, and it was irresponsible of the Federal Reserve to adopt an easy money policy that tempted people into taking on excessive debt. The troops sacrificed while the nation shopped.

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

robdarich — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 17:27:22 -0400

Well that settles it then.
The "Can't be done" proclimations begin...

Because I am the governor.

domewatcher — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:52:37 -0400

I do not know if the Dome keeps a list of the all time great North Carolina political sayings. If so, this one should rank right up there with: "A cheeseburger and fries costs $60.00 over there."

Any word on those museum exchanges yet?

The other pathway.....The Road Less Traveled.

domewatcher — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:44:00 -0400

The dear Governor is quoted as saying:

"This is the only pathway I know.........."

But there is always the "Road Less Traveled".....which is the opposite of "tax & spend." It is called cutting spending, saving money, cuttin' back, tightening your belt, watching every penny.

Raising taxes in these dire economic times is definitely not the only pathway!!!!!!!! You take the high tax road and I'll take the low spending road..........and I may not get there before you but at least I will have gotten there under my own power and a few pennies in my pocket.

And I am saying this "because I am a poor taypayer who, it seems, no one is considering."

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

cthayes75 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:42:50 -0400

But when she was Lt. Governor, temporary taxes were extended and/or made permanent how many times?

In Bev we trust...NOT

concerned53 — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:31:45 -0400

"Because I am the governor" is her answer to insuring that the temporary tax increase won't become permanent! I can't think of one thing that Beverly, Mike or the democratic leaders in the legislature have done over the past 16 years to convince us that they have or will spend OUR money wisely.

Beverly, we are not your l'il children and you have a long way to go before North Carolinians will ever trust you.

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

jonoflocke — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:24:29 -0400

When asked how North Carolinians could be sure that temporary tax increases would not become permanent, Perdue's answer was simple.

"Because I'm the governor," she said.

Wow. The sheer clucking imbecility of that comment has an almost aesthetic perfection to it. It's breathtaking. It captures the moment. The governor is proposing a huge tax increase, heavily weighted in regressive taxes, and she's doing so while the state suffers from double-digit unemployment. She's already resorted to the "think of the children!" defense. And she tops it off with this. A deft coup de grâce, all things considered.

Resignation coming?

PoliticalJunkie — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:15:37 -0400

Is Bev going to resign too?

Re: Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

cdtew — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 16:13:05 -0400

Oh my god. We have a Tar Heel Sarah Palin.

Perdue: $1.6 b in taxes only option

bniolet — Tue, 07 Jul 2009 15:40:51 -0400

Speaking to reporters, Gov. Beverly Perdue called for the legislature to complete its budget negotiations and raise about $1.6 billion in taxes.

Perdue said the plan she submitted this morning, designed to protect health care, public safety and education, was the only option.

"This is the only pathway I know that protects the core services and public education in North Carolina," she said.

Perdue's proposal incorporates aspects of both legislative proposals, including taxing alcohol and cigarettes, expanding sales tax to services and an additional income tax bracket.

When asked how North Carolinians could be sure that temporary tax increases would not become permanent, Perdue's answer was simple.

"Because I'm the governor," she said.

Update: Perdue aides said she characterized the plan, not as exclusive, but as the only detailed option proposed so far.