2007

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.

RALEIGH – This year’s high-profile Minneapolis bridge disaster exposes North Carolina’s need for new state transportation priorities. That’s the key finding in a new John Locke Foundation Spotlight report.

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 Robeson County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $38.2 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Swain 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 $2.6 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Washington County commissioners are asking voters to approve a 600 percent increase in the real estate transfer tax on November 6. But the county has about $4.1 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.

The Sampson County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $15.5 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.

The Hertford County commissioners are asking voters to approve a quarter-cent sales tax increase on November 6. But the county has about $7 million over and above its base budget to meet its needs.