Charlotte Mayor Pat McCrory this morning ripped a tax proposal by N.C. House Democrats that would raise some income taxes to help close a $4 billion budget shortfall.
The House is considering a $940 million tax package today that would raise the sales tax and income taxes for those earning more than $200,000 a year, Jim Morrill reports.
"It's the last thing you need to do during a recession," he said. "The income tax is the most harmful tax to raise because you're only punishing those who are actually working ... This hurts our economic development efforts here in Charlotte, North Carolina ... when there's a cheaper place to live."
McCrory, last year's GOP gubernatorial nominee, said he worries that raising income taxes on the affluent could drive businesses from North Carolina.
Asked how he would deal with the record shortfall, McCrory offered no specifics but referred back to his 2008 campaign.
In October, when forecasters predicted a $2 billion shortfall, McCrory and Democrat Bev Perdue both said they opposed tax hikes and would convene expert panels to identify cuts and efficiencies in state government. Perdue Monday called on the House to include new taxes in its budget.
Tax policy will be part of McCrory's speech Friday at the GOP state convention in Raleigh.
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Re: McCrory blasts tax hike proposal
He referred the writer to his campaign, in which he addressed that question for hours and pages. Catch up.