Readers will recall that the NC General Assembly recently passed a measure to place on the ballot a constitutional amendment that would assure state income taxes never exceed 3.5%.
Governor Josh Stein– a socialist– naturally doesn’t like the idea. Carolina Journal has the details:
“It will not put any more money in anyone’s pockets,” Stein, a Democrat said. “But what it will do is make regular people pay the consequences of it next year and years into the future because it will insulate the very wealthy from ever having an increase in their income tax. We have to have a balanced budget every year when revenues are needed. You know who’s going to have to pay? It’s you. Regular people every time they go buy something through the sales tax.”
He said the current personal income tax of 3.99%, the lowest it has ever been, doesn’t need to be lowered, especially at a time when he says state employees, like teachers, state troopers, and correctional officers, haven’t seen a meaningful raise. Stein also referenced Secretary of State Elaine Marshall’s office which has received a significant increase in the number of business filings over the past few years, but hasn’t seen a real increase in the number of staff or pay, which she has said so herself at many Council of State meetings.
Stein appeals to envy by citing the fact that the wealthy will not face tax increases. He speaks untruth when he suggests teachers and state employees have not had raises.
He doesn’t like the fact that he and his fellow travelers will have less money to spend, and that they will be constrained from implementing their grand designs.
Stein’s reaction was very predictable. Fortunately, he lacks skills of persuasion; and can’t do much about it. It will be up to the voters.
As long as Republicans maintain their veto proof majority all Stein can do is cry and lie, since he has NO argument.
I agree, Fred. By the way, I expect the Republicans will lose their veto-proof majority next year, given the primary results and also what is likely to happen in November. That will change the equation, but this measure hopefully will have passed by then.