Statement on SB 75 from Alexandra F. Sirota, Director of Budget & Tax Center

Income Tax Cap Amendment will further the tax shift, erode progress towards national standards

Raleigh (March 14, 2017) — Senate Bill 75 passed off the Senate floor today in a move by state lawmakers that once again limits the possibilities for North Carolina. The bill seeks to make an unnecessary amendment to the state Constitution that will harm North Carolina’s future prosperity and the democratic process.

The proposal will lock in what is essentially a giveaway to millionaires and likely shift the state’s reliance to the sales tax, while also putting more pressure on local governments to raise property taxes. This has always been a bad idea for North Carolina, and it still is.

By placing a low and arbitrary income tax cap into our state constitution, lawmakers are taking democracy out of the budget process. They are aiming to lock in their desired choices and limit the choices of North Carolinians tomorrow, 10 years from now and 100 years from now.  Under this amendment, lawmakers elected by North Carolina’s future voters will not have the tools to meet our state’s future needs.

This unnecessary bill shows a lack of responsibility for the common good. It will make progress impossible on shared goals such as improving teacher pay, ensuring every child is reading by third grade, and providing health and mental care to North Carolinians who need it. The results will be costly for us all and our state.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, contact Alexandra F. Sirota, Director of NC Budget & Tax Center, at alexandra@ncjustice.org or (919) 861-1468; or Mel Umbarger, Senior Communications Specialist of NC Budget & Tax Center, at mel@ncjustice.org.