Fetzer: no tax is temporary

rmmlem, you can't see me but I am standing and applauding right now!

I was just pointing out an example of Republican leadership as governor of a state. Sorry to offend.

How about coming up with some specific cutting proposals that add up to $1 billion Mr. Fetzer? That you and the NC GOP will stand behind when it comes time for re-election. As far as there being no temporary taxes, where are the temporary policiticans? That's a fiction as well.

They may have brought in Governor Sanford as a reference point in the popularity ratings.

I believe the Democrats are bringing in South Carolina's Sanford because they are running out of ways to counter the rejection of Bev's cries for massive tax increases. They probably are realizing the embarrassment at this point and might be asking themselves" "Couldn't we at least take a look at cutting some spending?"

It's an old Democratic ploy whenever people start asking reasonable questions.

Nothing's forever, yet it seems to me Fetzer has a yin for his yang.

If all taxes are truly permanent, then please explain the NCGOP raison d'être Tom.

I'm missing the connection with Sanford... can he somehow balance the NC budget? That'd be a feat.

I didn't say anything about his affair. That is between him and his wife. He showed very poor judgement by leaving SC without an executive and not leaving someone in charge, with his whereabouts unknown.

Yeah, Mark Sanford had a affair and I think he should be fired for leaving his office unattended for such a disgusting fling. However when Bill Clinton had his fun and games in the oval office it was widely excepted among democrats and they thought he should not be fired. Well Billy may have been in the white house during his affair I am sure his mind wasn't. My point is this, we the people democrats,republicans,independents,etc need to put our political differences aside and be consistant on our standards that we hold our elected officals. I also agree with Fetzer about the tax, once they start the tax were stuck with it forever.

JPQuick,
I agree with you on the ideologue issue. I am really worn out with it. When I go to church usually I have to endure a joke or two attacking Democrats. I especially believe that politics should stay out of the churches, for goodness sakes. Lately I have been really sour on Republicans for that reason and I guess I shouldn't group all of them into a lump, because I do vote for them from time to time.

The crock of total nonsense is hard core Republicans hanging on to their talking points and denying that their party is currently in a shambles. Our neighboring Republican governor left the country for 5 days leaving the State of SC without a chief executive. Just not prepared to lead. The majority of this state believes the same thing. Republicans are not prepared to lead

Hey Joe the plumber, there are only 50 states; not 57 and our schools don't rank 45th. Typical conservative, spouting unsubstantiated facts. Republicans want to cut spending. If social services and education account for most of our budget--where do we cut and still have an "ethical budget"?

Tom Fetzer finally is bringing some notice to the NC publicans...

he's damn right about this...taxes are NEVER temoporary in NC!

so sick of corrupt taxing democrackkks in NC I could PUKE!

No doubt Governor Perdue will get her massive tax increase and make the teachers and state employees happy. Nothing new in that. The rest of us mules will just keep pulling the wagon until we drop. Nothing new in that either.

Blame republicans for this budget mess???? you have got to be kidding!!!!! Democrats have run this state since it became a state and greenswamp thinks this budget shortfall belongs to the republicans, come on get real. I guess he is referring to George Bush, but how long is the blame Bush thing going to hold water????? Bush sure did not make the democrat leadership in this state grow the spending by leaps and bounds for the last 20yrs. This 1.6 billion want be enough for Bev just wait till next year.

I just wanted to point out that Tom Fetzer is not gay.

greenswamp,

For Democrats in the General Assembly, the economy is merely a vehicle that can be used to sustain the growth of government.

For the rest of us, the economy is the source of our livelihood.

Taking $1.6 billion from the North Carolina economy leaves the majority of voters with less money in their pockets at a time when private sector salaries have already been cut, unemployment is rampant, and underemployment is rapidly becoming the norm.

What voters want from their government is some form of tax cut or stimulus to create jobs and restore their standard of living. What Bev Perdue plans to deliver is $1.6 billion in tax increases coupled with $3 billion in state spending reductions.

I'm not a fan of the state GOP, but the reality is that right now the Republican Party is listening to voters. In contrast, Democrats in the General Assembly continue to squabble about which special interest will receive the lion's share of the "extra" revenue created by Bev's $1.6 billion tax increase.

I am a Republican this year because I have to be, not because I want to be.

Try to look past ideology and focus on the future. Do you honestly believe that multi-billion dollar tax increases and spending cuts represent the right medicine for an unhealthy state economy?

"I lay all of this unemployment at the feet of the Republicans, not just part but all. Our disappearing money supply and soaring gas prices were their crowning achievements. This is what killed our economy and this is what created the shortfall."

what a crock of total nonsense.....BOTH parties are accountable for the mess we have today....all either one of them are concerned about are next election's votes

Want to confuse libs? Use common sense! The fact of the matter is we do not want any government interference in our business. We do not want government programs. We want a strong military and nobama is bent on killing the military. We want good interstate highways and that seems to have taken a back seat to "Stimulus", whatever that means. We want good international trading partners and that seems to have gone the way of global warming. That is it. Nothing more. The feds needs to stay out of the states and my business.

Tom Fetzer is probably going to try to ride this 1 cent tax increase for a while because he thinks that it will resonate with the general public. He has an uphill battle convincing me that Republicans are in better shape to run the government. I will pay that tax not because I want to but because the state needs it to keep running. Budgets are formed by last years receipts and with our unemployment in this state there is a shortfall. I lay all of this unemployment at the feet of the Republicans, not just part but all. Our disappearing money supply and soaring gas prices were their crowning achievements. This is what killed our economy and this is what created the shortfall. So good luck, Tom, you're going to need it.

Real_Americans_Think,

I guess you yourself do not think. More money <> problem solved. More money usually = more waste + more self enrichment of politicians + pork to increase the power of those in office + buying votes + paying off supporters

The NC budget has almost doubled this decade, yet supposedly, the state still does not have enough money. Quite the contrary... to listen to Perdue describe our current situation, apparently all that extra money made things worse.

And Fetzer's right ... no tax is temporary. They'll find a way to keep it up rather than learn to balance a budget with out taking more of OUR MONEY which they like to call THEIR REVENUE.

I'm with vraptor... the governor and the nc legislature that wants to raise our taxes thinks that somehow we cannot do math.

Let's look at these when we consider how to balance a budget.

- Stimulus aid to NC from the Federal Government (which we're already on the hook for) = $6 billion.
- Governor Perdue’s suggested tax increase for NC (which we too would be on the hook for) = $1.6 billion.
- NC Budget Cuts to balance a budget because you’ve squandered our money for decades. = $3.8 billion.

I say it's time for a little more balance. More budget cuts, no more taxes... it's a painful pill to swallow but if we don't do it now we'll be right back in this position again soon.

Here's a little Econ 101, folks: things cost money. Schools cost money. Prisons and jails cost money, and so do the courts, especially if you're hell-bent on locking up everybody who takes a puff on a joint or who can't pay child support because he's lost his job. Roads cost money, as do the cops who patrol them.

But you people have been drinking the Bush/Cheney Kool-Aid for eight years and think you can have government for nothing. And you have the nerve to call anyone else freeloaders?

Fetzer needs to stop campaigning for this next election and start making some tough choices. It may make him unpopular with the drooling "no taxes ever" yay-hoos (aka the Republican Base), but he should man up and show some leadership.

Well what do you know ??? I go on the road for a day and old RAT pops up again with his familiar insults-a-million. Looks like he's still using the old standards. I was hoping for a few new ones ....

So long as N&O posting standards are non-partisan I say "sticks and stones .........."

Are you one of the free loaders living off public money, If the responsible people of america leave you will all have to work or starve

I wonder if libs can do math???

2000 NC Budget => $10B
2008 NC Budget => $21B

NC population increase from 2000 => 15%

If the 2000 budget was OK, then the current budget should be only 15% increase from 2000. $10B x 1.15 => $11.5B

No one is stopping you libs from sending extra money to the NC DOR...

The NC public schools are consistently in the bottom 5 of the 57 states (boo).

Class size is only to protect union jobs......

Wonder why we cannot get details of the NC budget or how many people the NC gov employs???

Although this is a bit simplistic, perhaps this formula could be used by our state legislature. 1) forcat income for the next year is whatever came into the state coffers last year and the next budget MUST fit into that figure. 2) the first bill on the budget will be for those items we cannot change. 3) the second bill would be for educational expences of the State Dept. of Public Instruction. 4) the next bill would be to fund the social actions of the SDPI. 5)The rest of the money in our budget has to cover the optional items in our budget. If that is followed, a lot of "pork" would be left out and we would be on solid financial footing shortly.

Why does every five-year-old child have to be in a NC govt. run program? 'Cause it's (everyone together now) "FOR THE CHILDREN". Tell you what. I'll keep my own money and take care of my own kids too.

"Why not cut the things that government shouldn't be doing, and things that are a luxury at worst for government to be doing in times of plenty"

Fine. What are these things? You rightwingers never are able to say. YOu just vaguely say that we should cut pork, or unneed programs. Such as....??? Be specific. If you can't be specific because you are uninformed and just a knee-jerk ranter, then perhaps you can keep your uninformed immmature anti-tax flat earth opinions to yourself. If you want to engage in a policy debate about what specific programs to cut, that's fine. I've proposed that we zero out spending on roads, prisons, public schools, community colleges, and the UNC system. Including things that you benefit from - so that the pain affects you. How about that? Would you want to live in a state where these things are zeroed out?

Probably not. Just curious if you have the character to admit it. Immature rants are a dime a dozen. Real thoughts are a bit more expensive.

RAT and riverdd have issues. For one, living within our means is paying for roads and prisons. You guys need to get out there and volunteer in the community. Your both just cowards hiding behind your keyboard and monitor. For you to insinuate that I do not think we should not pay for anything is basically not telling the truth. You state something as fact that was not said. You thow around personal insults which in itself is immature and not the way to win a argument. I will not be deterred by your intimidation tactics and name calling. Let us know when you can support your own stand on the issues by stating facts.

vraptor blathers: "I do not know about you. But I cannot afford this communism..."

that's fine. This "communism" includes things like roads, prisons, schools, etc. How about if we stop spending money on roads in vraptor's area, release all the prisoners and send them to vraptors house, and close all the schools - the latter will really help with economic growth in the figure. Meanwhile, maybe the immature crybabies who whine about taxes can engage their brains first before writing nonsense on the internet.

A) I have nothing to do with their comments, and if you check my track record, I've never engaged in any of that name-calling. I personally think making cutesy little word-changes like that are silly and immature (that goes for you as well as them, Mr. "Flat-Earth Republicans", "Repugs", "Rush Limbutt").

B)I am thankful that I was able to go to a highly regarded public institution for which my parents paid income tax, and for which I will gladly continue to pay income tax. I'm not a "privatize all the colleges" type of person.

I bet you do not know what the NC sales tax rate is!!! I thought I did until I looked at a sales receipt.

NC sales tax rate around Raleigh is 6.75%.. :(

So lets see how we are going to get soaked by the tax a spend libs.

NC Income Taxes Going UP
NC Sales Taxes Going Up
Our Utility Taxes Going UP For Tax & Crap
Our Private Insurance Is Going To Be Taxed
Federal Taxes Going Up

I do not know about you. But I cannot afford this communism...

Cut the pork....

cdtew, About your comment, "unless you can argue civilly...". Have you even read your "Fellow Travelers"? ie; 'Governor Bubbles', 'parasities', 'bottom feeders', 'welfare moms', 'neighborhood organizer to register dead people', 'crazy Libs', '...only good thing about career politicans is they eventually die'.
Flat-Earth repoblicans stopped being civil ever since rush limbutt became their leader. We will continue to fight by any means necessary! As for your, " highly regarded public institution.", you DO realize it was paid for by TAX MONEY?

Riverrd, unless you can argue civilly, your words are unnecessary. I certainly hope someone on Dome's staff sees your cute little slur and takes action.

P.S., its "inbred". No hyphen needed. This "inbred cry-baby" at least graduated with high honors from a highly regarded public institution.

You bunch of In-Bred Cry-Babies! Why do you hate America and Freedom so much? Taxes are the price we ALL pay for Democracy. If members of our society are unable to pay their share because of unfortunate circumstances, then we ALL take up the slack. That is what TRUE Americans do! If you are fortunate enough to take advantage of what our society has to offer and have made a lot of money, then it is your RESPONSIBILITY to pay your fair share. You can not just say well, "I made it so I will keep it all." No matter how much you hate it, by living in OUR society you are responsible you your fellow citizen. America, "Love It Or Leave It!".

Temporary taxes are like career politicians........ they never stop raiding your wallet.

The only good thing about career politicians is they eventually die......wish the same could be said for those temporary taxes.

BTW, Fetzer is a career politician too.......all he wants is a chance at your wallet as well!

Career politicians breed corruption and lies. Vote them out or they die in office.

Option one.....you win
Option two.....you lose

After the "temporary sales tax" (0ne half cent) was enacted in 2001 it was extended in 2003 (through 7/1/05) and 2005 (through 7/1/07). In the 2006 session, the rate was pulled back to 4.25% from 4.5%. The lower rate was made permanent in 2007. Rates was .25 higher than before 2001 increase.

The 8.25% income tax rate had a similar history, applying to tax years 2001 through 2007. In 2006, the rate went to 8.0% for 1/1/07 through 1/1/08. It finally expired on 1/1/08...so it is back to 7.75

Much as I hate to agree with Fetzer & other Republicans, I think he's right on this. I seem to recall back in my teenage years that when the tax on food was enacted it was supposed to be "only temporary"? And yet now with a daughter nearing 40 and me nearing retirement, we're still paying that each time we buy groceries.

So you are upset that they gov't is effectually taking food out of the mouth of your children, and not spending money on teachers but instead on beauracracy?

Or are you saying that you are one of the people that really does need help and is not getting it because goverments choose to spend the relief you need on those that falsely claim benefits and do not have the fortitude (you know who they are) to get three jobs to try and support themselves.

This from a former Mayor who authorized spending on a piece of Art then had it placed in a bad location so he could state Art funding was a waste of money. Fetzer took a great art and made it the laughing stock of Raleigh rather than placing it where it would be enjoyed by the community.

You were voted in to lead the republicans not be a lounge act going for the cheap applause. You live here fetzer so give us a workable solution rather than a sound byte.

It would help if we could see where the money is going in this budget (or not going as the case may be). In normal years, roughly 40% of the state's budget goes to education, and about 35% of the remainder goes to crime control and social and health programs. If $3.6 billion has been cut from this budget, where are the cuts coming from? What programs?

All we're hearing from the Republicans is "no new taxes", while all we're hearing from the Democrats is "we need more money to bridge the gap". Meanwhile, the Governess is saying "not enough, we need more taxes for the sake of the childrun".

Ok fine, if they've already decided on cutting the $3.6 billion from the budget, then there's no harm in showing us where the cuts are. Post the cuts on the state's website. Then perhaps we can start talking about how to make up the difference; more cuts (more kids in each classroom isn't the end of the world, Bev), furloughs, what are we talking about here?

We're all in the dark because the legislators are afraid to tell us what the cuts will be.

After the economy rebounds (as unlikely as that is while Marxists run Washington), the "temporary" tax will, as before, become a "revenue surplus" which will get squandered on pet projects and pork.

Governor "Lucy" Perdue and Dems in Raleigh keep holding the political football and the "Charlie Brown" voters of NC just keep trusting them. Then we wonder why we're flat on our backs. Good grief!

So you say tax for a phone, 3 taxes for food, tax for gas, tax for everything, but your wages go down hill and they expect us to live and survive on all these taxes. Get rid of all those high paying jobs and pay the state employees more money and we won't have all these mess. God is coming back soon to raise up a nation that will obey and stop all the taking from the poor who works 3 jobs just to feed the kids.

Education is going down the drain because its not important anymore due to no money for highly qualified Teachers and Teacher Assistants who help every child succeed in that classroom on a daily basis. Also they are the ones left at car pool with late parents and they get no compensation for that.

RAT -

You can volunteer to send a check to the state anytime you want, as can any other liberal. Fact is, if taxes were voluntary no one would pay.

I have decried that Monday and Tuesday of every week are government indentured services days for me because that is how much I pay in ALL taxes, gov't fees, etc - 40%.

I propose everyone out there do the same, and share it will all your coworkers. I mentioned it to one and he's still mumbling about how I ruined his day. Crazy Libs.

If you do not have a job or pay income tax then you can celebrate being usurper's of my freedom two days a week! Yeah!

Then we all should share equally. Flat tax. You won't support that, though, will you? Talk about blowhards. All you want to do is spend spend spend on nonsense and make "the rich" pay for it. And why do you support the nonsensical spending? Because it buys votes and campaign contributions for your party. If taxes went towards schools and roads, that would be one thing. The problem is that you want us to pay for illegal immigrants to go to college and welfare moms to keep having babies and scientific studies of why monkeys have homosexual tendencies and for 'neighborhood organizers' to register dead people to vote in elections.

Tom Fetzer is exactly right regardless of where you live, I live in Seminole county Fl. and we voted for a onecent sales tax that was supposed to expire in one or two years that has been at least five or six years ago and we still have it
and they are trying to raise more taxes.When you lose your job, you learn to live with less. The Governments need to learn belt tightning too

Forget about dems and reps. Doesn't matter if you really want to fix the problems because the problems are not that difficult to fix. Figure out how much money you have and balance the checkbook. Many of us have been doing that all of our lives and repeatedly have requested our elected officials to do the same. They will not do it. Why? Because the bottom feeders will lose some of their benefits and will vote the brave out of office and onto the streets. The bottom feeders need to lse their voting rights until they pay income taxes. That will stop the outrageous spending on benefits we tax payers cannot afford.

Actually, I *would* like to NC taxes raised, but only if preceeded by the complete abolition of Federal income tax. Let the states collect money and fund the Feds. Wouldn't that be a nice turnabout!