Orange County

Under the threat of the COVID-19 pandemic, many state and local governments around the country have issued “stay at home” orders. These orders make broad exceptions for workers at a…

Orange County Commissioners have voted to raise property taxes by 1/4-cent in order to “combat climate change.” Before delving into the details, let’s take a look at the…

RALEIGH — Orange County commissioners are courting special interests and “cynically manipulating” the voting process to win support for a $2.5 million sales tax hike. The John Locke Foundation makes…

Orange County commissioners are asking voters for a $2.5 million sales-tax increase at a time of high unemployment. Twice before Orange County voters rejected tax increases. Just last November, rural county voters rejected a sales-tax increase by 2 to 1. The ballot offers nothing else for rural voters this time around, while urban voters also must pick candidates for city offices. Commissioners' hopes for a tax increase may hinge on low rural turnout.

Click here to view and here to listen to Michael Sanera discussing this Regional Brief. RALEIGH — Orange County voters have plenty of good reasons to question county…

Orange County commissioners are asking voters for a $2.3 million tax increase at a time of high unemployment. Since the special county taxing authority was established by the legislature in 2007, voters have turned down 68 of 85 requests for tax increases, sending the message that county commissioners must be more responsible stewards of taxpayers’ hard-earned money.