The House Finance Committee adopted a $784 million tax package designed to mitigate the deep budget cuts in the House's budget proposal.

House members shaved $154 million from the proposed $940 million tax plan by removing "sin" taxes on beer, wine and cigarettes.

Republicans tried unsuccessfully to weaken the tax package. Democrats were the ones who successfully proposed removing the “sin” taxes from the roster.

"We got folks who are barely scrimping by as it is. Beer may be their only entertainment," said Rep. Bill Faison, an Orange County Democrat who proposed removing beer from the tax package.

Committee members shot down a series of proposed amendments, arguing that the new taxes were needed to avoid painful cuts in state spending. Opponents to the taxes argued they would hurt business and worsen the recession.

How the tax proposals finished after the jump.

   Comments (8)

The House Finance committee began what promises to be a long day of debating whether to pass $940 million in new taxes.

"Is there any part of this bill I'm going to like?" asked Rep. Curtis Blackwood, a Matthews Republican.

"There's nothing in any of this that anybody likes," said Rep. Pryor Gibson, a Wadesboro Democrat. "This is the least painful thing that we could come up with...There's no pride in this document."

Opponents found fault with the taxes. The taxes would hurt business and state residents. The budget cuts aren't as painful as Democrats have led on, and the tax package is unfair since Republicans weren't in on the discussion, opponents said.

"You made cuts to where you know enough people would scream," said Rep. John Blust, a Greensboro Republican. 

Supporters of the tax countered that the package was the only way to fend off the  most hurtful cuts to education and social services.

"With this package, we restore the thigns that make North Caroilna great," said Rep. Deborah Ross, a Raleigh Democrat.