Research Reports: 2007

The Alexander County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on January 8. But the county has nearly $5.3 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The UNC system has initiated few efforts to strengthen teacher-education programs. UNC universities should use their power as charter-school authorizers to create on-site demonstration or laboratory charter schools to improve teacher-education programs.

Water is a scarce resource and a commodity. Some water systems do not change water rates based on demand.

Tax increment financing (TIF) hides the diversion of funds from government services that is inherent in borrowing. It still puts taxpayers at risk for repayment and is more expensive than general obligation bonds or certificates of participation (COPs).

Every county and school district in North Carolina will accept voluntary contributions. Few people donate to Wake County schools or county programs.

Elected officials in Durham, Gaston, Macon, Mecklenburg, and Moore counties are asking voters to approve school construction bonds that will increase an already high tax burden on low and middle income homeowners in these counties. Local governments have failed to implement the full range of school facilities alternatives and strategies that could accommodate enrollment growth without imposing additional taxes and long-term debt on taxpayers.

The Minneapolis I-35 bridge disaster and the poor condition of North Carolina’s bridges should be a wake-up call for policymakers to set sensible priorities for transportation policy. N.C. has 17,782 bridges, of which 5,082 (29 percent) are deemed deficient by the federal government. N.C. ranks 32nd in the nation in percentage of deficient bridges — 10th worst in total number of deficient bridges.

The Martin County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $9 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Gates County commissioners are asking voters to approve a 200 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax on November 6. But the county has about $2.5 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Henderson County commissioners are asking voters to approve a 200 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax on November 6. But the county has about $19.6 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.