newsobserver.com projects - Against the odds - Comments

Re: Against the odds

patanthony — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:56:39 -0400

Isn't that Grover Norquist's taxes-are-evil, let-the-rich-keep-their-money group? Interesting use of the term "grassroots."

Re: Against the odds

DallasWoodho — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 10:21:03 -0400

AFP-NC Breaking News Statement on Massive New Taxes In Budget Deal

(Raleigh) After hearing multiple TV news reports (11:00 PM) that a leaders of the NC House and NC Senate have reached a back room budget deal , the free market limited government group Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina issued an early statement:

"According to early reports the new budget will include new sales and land transfer tax options that will greatly increase the tax burden in North Carolina. We are already the highest taxed state in the region and this will hurt North Carolina even more," said AFP-NC Communications Director Dallas Woodhouse."Lawmakers in charge have refused to make tough choices and followed the easy route, sharply increasing taxes in North Carolina. It is a sad night for North Carolina taxpayers."

Americans for Prosperity-North Carolina (AFP-NC) is the North Carolina chapter of the nation’s premier grassroots organization of citizen leaders working at the state and local level and committed to advancing every individual’s right to economic freedom and opportunity. AFP educates and engages citizens in support of restraining state and federal government growth and returning government to its constitutional limits. For more information, visit

www.afpnc.org

Against the odds

ryanteaguebeckwith — Thu, 26 Jul 2007 08:23:42 -0400

Against the odds, a transfer tax is in the budget deal.

The N.C. Association of Realtors spent nearly $600,000 campaigining against the tax on home sales, appealing to the public through ads as well as legislators from swing districts.

But the final budget deal reached last night includes an option for counties to levy a tax of .2 percent to .6 percent of the sales price. That would be from $400 to $1,200 on a $200,000 home.

The catch: Voters must approve the new tax in a referendum.

Although some counties have gotten approval that way, Washington County has had two failed referenda on the issue, and Realtors will likely fight any local votes as hard as they did this deal.

The budget also allows counties to raise the local sales tax by a quarter-cent. Surveys show that the public prefers sales tax hikes over other taxes, perhaps because it feels more voluntary.