House Speaker Joe Hackney said in a news conference this morning that when people see the cuts lawmakers had to make to balance the budget, paying an extra 1 percent in sales tax wouldn't seem so bad.
"The sales tax is something that is accepted by and large by the public," he said. "A temporary sales tax that goes to education in large part is something that the public will find acceptable."
The 1-cent sales tax increase would bring in about $804 million in the next fiscal year — the bulk of the budget's $990 million in new taxes.
He said members recognized that a sales tax increase was not an ideal way to raise revenue since it burdens working families more than high-income earners, but added that it was the best compromise lawmakers could reach in hopes of passing the budget.
"The sales tax is not something that is loved by all of us here," Hackney said. "But you need to balance it in a way to get enough votes to pass the bill."
Gov. Beverly Perdue had previously objected to a proposed income tax surcharge for all taxpayers because she said it would affect working families. House Republican leader Rep. Paul Stam said the sales tax is worse.
"The idea that that's not paid by working families just boggles the imagination," Stam said.
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It's temporary.......by and large. Very acceptable, by & large.
Don't forget folks......this is a "temporary tax." I think that is what the "public" will find acceptable.
"Temporary taxes" are not like real taxes. They are only temporary. And these "temporary taxes" will end......sometime. They will end because they are "temporary." The key is to not hold your breath.
By and large it's temporary.