Alexandra Forter Sirota
Posts by Alexandra Forter Sirota
House Bill 1179: Senior Property Tax Relief Modernization Act
An act to expand property tax relief and fair appraisals Link to HB 1179, filed April 30,2026 Download a PDF of this brief HB 1179 Summary: Adjusts income eligibility for property tax relief and improves the appraisal process to promote equity; establishes a mechanism for local governments to receive reimbursement from the state for the…
House Bill 1181: Property Tax Modifications
Various changes that will increase the fairness of property taxes and close loopholes in real estate transfer tax Link to HB 1181, filed April 30, 2026 Download a PDF of this brief HB 1181 Summary: Modifies the Homestead Circuit Breaker, which currently allows qualifying low-income seniors and disabled homeowners to defer some of their property taxes…
Tax bills that moved this week will block progress on affordability for families into the future
With the legislative session in full swing and a bad budget deal announced last week, the legislative proposals that gain approval this session will shape our everyday experiences and future possibilities for our families, neighbors and communities. We have reviewed the fast-moving tax bills, as well as important tax bills that should move. Today we…
Fact Sheet: A Bad Budget Deal for North Carolina
The NC General Assembly leadership in the House and Senate are supporting a bad budget deal for North Carolinians. Costs are rising for families and for the state, yet this deal would lock in tax cuts for the wealthy few and profitable corporations — even after official economists warned that tax cuts are leaving NC…
Senate Bill 1082: NC Right to Work Amendment
Ballot measure to enshrine so-called “right-to-work” laws in the state Constitution Link to S1082, filed on May 14, 2026 Download a PDF of this brief S1082 Summary: This legislation would bring a ballot measure to the voters in November to enshrine existing “right-to-work” laws in the state Constitution. These laws make it illegal for unionized…
Senate Bill 1080: Lower Taxes for All NC
A constitutional change to the income tax cap from 7% to 3.5% Link to SB 1080, filed May 13, 2026 Download a PDF of this brief SB 1080 Summary: This legislation proposes a constitutional amendment on the November ballot asking voters to approve a 3.5% income tax cap, down from the current 7%, that locks…
Property taxes power local services across North Carolina
Working families and seniors in North Carolina are struggling to make ends meet and need relief. But proposals to eliminate or cap property taxes are misleading solutions that will not make housing costs more affordable. Everyday North Carolinians have already seen how the promise that income tax cuts would make life easier failed to deliver relief…
Statement from Alexandra Sirota, executive director of the North Carolina Budget & Tax Center, on Governor Josh Stein’s proposed budget
NC Budget & Tax Center: State Budget Should Prioritize Well-Being and Affordability for North Carolinians “North Carolinians want a budget that helps make life more affordable and strengthens the foundations of our state’s economy. Families across the state are facing rising costs for essentials like housing, child care, food, health care, and energy, and they need…
5 Things to Know About North Carolina’s Economy as 2026 begins
North Carolinians power our economy through their work every day, in every corner of the state — from growing and harvesting our food, to caring for and educating our children, to researching and developing new medicines and technologies that improve our lives. Their labor powers our economy. Yet, for many families, rising costs are making the…
Jan. 1: Tax cuts for the rich in NC — still no state budget
The New Year will bring little certainty to everyday North Carolinians. State legislators have failed to use the policy tools available to them to address rising costs for the basics, from food to child-care to housing. Instead of passing a state budget this year, state legislative leaders couldn’t agree to put people first. They are…