Mel Umbarger
Posts by Mel Umbarger
North Carolinians pay higher prices when tax cuts for corporations and the wealthy are made permanent
When tax cuts for millionaires and corporations are made permanent, everyday North Carolinians pay higher prices: Higher college tuition and fees This year, the UNC System increased undergrads’ in-state tuition for the first time in nine years. The average increase is $125 per student. They also increased mandatory fees. Higher monthly healthcare premiums People covered…
Statement on Gas Tax Gimmick from Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center
We see the call for a one-day special session for what it is: a political gimmick, not a genuine commitment to making life more affordable for North Carolinians. Legislative leaders have had years to prevent costs from being shifted onto families and local communities and protect North Carolinians from the harmful policy choices of federal…
Our Freedom to Thrive: 2026 Election Guide
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Tax Amendments By the Numbers
There are two tax amendments on the state ballot in November that would change the state Constitution to more permanently make policy that affects our daily lives. Income Tax Amendment: This would permanently cap the state income tax rate for people and corporations at 3.5%, leaving less funding for public schools, safe roads, emergency services,…
Statement Against State Constitutional Amendments on the November Ballot from Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center
The NC Budget & Tax Center opposes both proposed constitutional tax amendments on North Carolina’s November ballot, as well as the proposed photo identification requirement for voting. North Carolina’s Future is at Stake These ballot measures would put a limit on our future. Taken together, these state Constitutional changes prevent elected officials from making good…
Funding local services in North Carolina
To open the dashboard full-size in another browser window, click here.(opens in new tab) If you are having issues downloading a PDF from the dashboard below, try opening this link and downloading the PDF from that page. Across North Carolina, our communities rely on strong public services to live well and get ahead – from safe public…
Hoja informativa: ¡Cuando las corporaciones y los ricos no pagan lo que deben, nosotros somo los que pagamos!
For English version, click here El sistema tributario de Carolina del Norte está AL REVÉS. Las personas cuyos ingresos se encuentran en el 20 % más bajo (menos de $25,000 al año) pagan la mayor proporción de sus ingresos en impuestos estatales y locales — más del 10 por ciento. Mientras tanto, el 1 %…
Hoja informativa: Limitar los ingresos por impuestos sobre la propiedad en la Constitución estatal es un mal acuerdo para los habitantes de Carolina del Norte
For English version with links to references, click here La Asamblea General de Carolina del Norte ha incluido una enmienda constitucional en la boleta electoral de noviembre que, de ser aprobada por los votantes, obligaría a los legisladores a limitar el crecimiento anual de los ingresos por impuestos locales sobre la propiedad. No se trata…
Hoja informativa: Reducir el límite máximo del impuesto sobre los ingresos en la Constitución estatal es un mal acuerdo para los habitantes de Carolina del Norte
For English version with links to references, click here La Asamblea General de Carolina del Norte aprobó un proyecto de ley para llevar a votación en noviembre una enmienda constitucional que, de ser aprobada por los votantes, reduciría la tasa máxima permitida del impuesto sobre los ingresos al 3.5 por ciento. La constitución estatal ya…
Fact Sheet: Lowering the income tax limit in the state constitution would lock future North Carolinians into today’s bad tax policy
Updated: Aug. 23, 2026 The NC General Assembly has passed a bill to put a constitutional amendment on the ballot in November that, if approved by voters, would lower the maximum allowable income tax rate to 3.5 percent. The state constitution already limits the maximum income tax rate, but this new, even lower income tax cap would lock in tax…