Among the many taxes that didn't make the compromise proposal under consideration today was a plan to seal corporate loopholes.

Combined reporting is when a business with operations in multiple states has to report its income from all operations, making it harder to conceal actual profits. The Department of Revenue now has the power to demand combined reporting in specific cases. A House proposal would have required it for all.  

The North Carolina Chamber, a business lobby, opposes combined reporting, Lynn Bonner reports. Adopting such a tax policy would put the state at a disadvantage with other southeastern states, which do not require it, said Sherry Melton, the organization's spokeswoman.

"It doesn't make a lot of sense to do something that would negatively impact the business environment," she said.

Legislative analysts predicted requiring combined reporting would have raised $18.5 million this year and $43 million next year. 

He's for it. She's against it. And they're married.

Ken Melton, lobbyist for the state Revenue Department, has been working for months to get the legislature to change tax law so multi-state corporations have to pay taxes on money they move to out-of-state shelters, Lynn Bonner reports.

Sherry Melton, spokeswoman for the N.C. Chamber, is the plan's chief public detractor.

Ken said their differences over $215 million a year in potential state revenues has had no impact on home life at the Meltons. Though he hears plenty of jokes in the Legislative Building about their differing views, he and Sherry don't exchange talking points at home.

Caring for their 3-year-old really eats into any time they would have to debate tax policy, he said.