Finance passes $784m tax package

This fall and next year if you like these local and state TAX INCREASES for a bloated government(s), please vote Democratic. If you support a lean and well run government(s), then vote Republican.

The article states: "Committee members shot down a series of proposed amendments, arguing that the new taxes were needed to avoid painful cuts in state spending."

Well now, we would not want any "pain" because we cut state spending. State spending levels are supposed to go up, not down. What is wrong with those who want to cut? Cutting is negative. That's what we've got, a bunch of negative people. "Never let them see you sweat!" And never reduce state spending. Once you have got the spending in place your only choice is to raise spending. That's in the Bible! Never retreat!

Raising taxes and spending money is the path to true happiness. And raising taxes and spending more and more money will end global warming and speed up the internet.

This is comical at best. The world economy is suffering from a collapse of an unregulated market that encouraged irresponsible investing behavior and as a result...wait for it, let's hammer the NASCAR fans who want a cold beer while they enjoy a race. I love the argument about choice...why do we all pay taxes for schools if we don't "choose" to have kids? Why don't we have an obseity tax for fast food? Pass cuts on everyone and pass a sales tax on everyone and go back to work and leave our beer alone!!!

Taxing tobacco and alcohol is the best kind of taxation because it both raises necessary revenue by taxing luxuries AND reduces state expenditures for the homicides, accidents, medical care, and prison time caused by use of alcohol and tobacco.

Festus, either there's a linguistic fallacy in your logic or you think tobacco results in homicide and prison time.

But I know what you meant. Given that, let's put a luxury tax on Hardee's too. It aint exactly health food.

We STATE EMPLOYEES work our butts off to take care of the public. Obviously you do not walk in our shoes. Get real Crudeoil!!

HOW ABOUT GETTING RID OF SOME OF THE QUARTER MILLION STATE EMPLOYEE'S DOING NOTHING BUT THEIR NEXT DAY OFF OR COMP TIME.

Removing $154m from this tax bill was irresponsible. Faison et al will have to raise taxes elsewhere. Taxing tobacco and alcohol is the best kind of taxation because it both raises necessary revenue by taxing luxuries AND reduces state expenditures for the homicides, accidents, medical care, and prison time caused by use of alcohol and tobacco. I deeply regret this posturing.

The argument from Ms. Perdue and House Democrats now appears to be that higher personal income taxes, business taxes, and consumption taxes are North Carolina's key to renewed growth and prosperity. As an added bonus, the legislature has dramatically expanded the complexity of the corporate tax code.

Likely outcomes of Ms. Perdue's enlightened tax policy include reduced domestic consumption, reduced private investment, and additional capital flight to other states.

The proposed budget is injurious to the economy and insulting to the intelligence of the people of this state.

To my everlasting regret, I voted for Ms. Perdue during the last election cycle. I will not make the same mistake in the next election cycle.