This seems like a good idea, but I need a lot more details to know where the inevitable "trade-offs" are.
As an administrator for a small business. I do know that any assistance in paying for employee health care is a good step. I also like the three year requirement on the job creation tax break. We need sustainable jobs, not fly-by-night service sector positions:
"It's past time for the Democrats to lead or follow in reforming North Carolina's tax laws," said House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake).
Raleigh - The Joint Interim House and Senate Finance Committee on Tax Reform has now met four times since November 3. Unfortunately, there has been little progress reforming North Carolina's revenue structure. It is time for an accounting.
After participating in the first three meetings House and Senate Republicans released their "Proposed Principles for Job Creation through Tax and Spending Reform." These thoughtful proposals outline how North Carolina can achieve a more equitable tax structure while providing an economic environment to foster business growth and job creation. So far no response has been received from the Democrats, either to the proposals as a whole or to any of the separately stated principles.
Posted by: jhs in state budget, medicaid on
Jan 30, 2010
Via Guarino:
We learn over at Dome that North Carolina Medicaid is facing a possible $250 million shortfall this year. Certain cuts may be forthcoming. What has caused the problem?
The Rocky Mountain Telegram
asks a pertinent question in yesterday's editorial:
The General Assembly in 2007-08 gave $694 million to nonprofit organizations in all 100 counties. That's a lot of money. Recipients have a responsibility to show the state that the money is being used wisely, particularly since a small agency in a rural area probably won't face the oversight of one in a larger city.
The General Assembly would do the public a world of good by implementing some common-sense standards.
In the face of tough economic challenges, the last thing a struggling taxpayer wants to hear is a story about hard-earned money being spent recklessly.
Winston-Salem editors concur:
The legislature should create grant programs for specific purposes and then have nonprofits compete for those grants. But legislators prefer to send money directly to their home districts and to the agencies they prefer. That's the definition of politics.
The Program Evaluation Division was created to help government work more efficiently. If the General Assembly is serious about reaching that goal, it will institute a better accountability system for these nonprofits.
Related.
"For too long now, liberal Democrats in the State Legislature have not been held accountable for their mismanagement of the public trust. On November 2, 2010, they will be held accountable and the citizens of North Carolina will get their voices back." NCGOP Chairman Tom FetzerRaleigh - NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer kicked off a statewide budget tour this week, leaving little doubt that the ultimate goal is winning a majority in the State House and Senate. "For too long now, liberal Democrats in the State Legislature have not been held accountable for their mismanagement of the public trust" said Fetzer. "On November 2, 2010, they will be held accountable and the citizens of North Carolina will get their voices back."
The date refers to next year's Election Day when every member of the State House and Senate will be on the ballot for re-election. Fetzer believes the recently passed state budget, which raised taxes and cut education funding, is indicative of the arrogance of politicians who have been in power for too long. "To raise taxes $990 million dollars during a recession is unthinkable; but to claim it was done to save education is unconscionable" said Fetzer. "These priorities do not reflect the hard working people of North Carolina and our citizens deserve representation that will speak for their values, not the liberal special interests."
Raleigh - NCGOP Chairman Tom Fetzer, joined by Senate Minority Leader Phil Berger and House Minority Leader Paul Stam, kicked off their statewide budget tour today in Burlington, having lunch with local leaders and concerned citizens at Sal's Italian Restaurant. The purpose of the tour is to highlight the shortcomings of the Democrat-backed budget that Fetzer says puts emphasis on the wrong priorities.
"The hard working people of Alamance County can't afford the priorities of the Democratic party. The Perdue-Foriest budget raised your taxes by a billion dollars and cut education funding by a quarter of a billion," said Fetzer. "Alamance County deserves better representation and North Carolina deserves better government."
Posted by: jhs in state budget on
Aug 7, 2009
Democrats Raise Taxes, Cut Education Funding
During week twenty-seven of the North Carolina General Assembly's 2009-2010 session, legislative Democrats finally adopted a state budget; this is five weeks after it was originally due. The Governor has said she will sign the budget.
Posted by: jhs in taxes, state budget on
Aug 7, 2009
Raleigh - As the state budget sits on Governor Beverly Perdue's desk, tax-free weekend began early this morning and will extend through Sunday night. As parents use the tax holiday as an opportunity to buy school supplies for children soon to return to school, they will find that not only will their tax burdens be heavier as we emerge from this weekend but they will be returning to classrooms with fewer resources and fewer teachers.
Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) made the following statement:
"The tax-free weekend will be followed by a tax-heavy year, Governor Perdue will break her promises to refrain from raising taxes in the midst of a recession and her promises to protect our children's classroom education. As we emerge from the tax-free weekend and parents send their children back to school this fall, they will find not only that their taxes have been raised by more than $990 million but that their children's classrooms have also been severely cut. Democrats missed the opportunity to adopt a budget that would have encouraged job creation and protected students and teachers in the classroom."
