Spotlight Report

The Political Spending Cycle: Spending Binges Lead to High-Tax Hangovers

posted on in Spending & Taxes

State tax revenues grow in strong economies. Politicians use the new revenue to create or expand government programs. In recessions, revenues fall and tax rates rise to pay for the higher level of spending. Spending and taxes in the last ten years illustrate this pattern. As North Carolina enters another period of expanding revenues, Gov. Mike Easley and the General Assembly must avoid the temptation to increase spending so they do not have to increase taxes in the next recession.

As Senior Fellow, Joe examines fiscal and tax policy. He previously headed the North Carolina Government Efficiency and Reform initiative within the Office of State Budget and Management, which led to changes in automotive fleet management, natural and… ...

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We are North Carolina’s Most Trusted and Influential Source of Common Sense. The John Locke Foundation was created in 1990 as an independent, nonprofit think tank that would work “for truth, for freedom, and for the future of North Carolina.” The Foundation is named for John Locke (1632-1704), an English philosopher whose writings inspired Thomas Jefferson and the other Founders.

The John Locke Foundation is a 501(c)(3) research institute and is funded solely from voluntary contributions from individuals, corporations, and charitable foundations.