Alexandra Forter Sirota
Posts by Alexandra Forter Sirota
Tax amendments put North Carolina’s infrastructure for business success at risk
North Carolinians’ skills, innovation, and labor are fueling our state’s economy. Investment in people’s well-being and community infrastructure sets the foundation for business success and continues to make North Carolina a place where businesses are relocating, starting up, or expanding their operations. But limits on how we fund key infrastructure for business success — public…
A property tax limit could cost our communities millions
Local governments across North Carolina — from the mountains to the coast — face growing costs from inflation, changing needs, lagging infrastructure, and state and federal policy decisions that have pushed costs to their communities. In November, voters will see a proposed change to the constitution on the ballot that could limit the ability of…
What $950 million could mean for emergency response
When someone calls 911, we expect emergency responders to show up. This is because local governments make sure our public dollars are put to use to pay and retain workers who keep our communities safe and provide the essential equipment they need to respond — from fire trucks to personal protective equipment. But firefighters, EMTs,…
Tax cuts hurt public schools in North Carolina
As North Carolina’s public school students, teachers, administrators, and staff return to the classroom for another school year, tax cuts that have benefited the wealthy few and profitable corporations are shaping their experience and limiting their educational opportunities. It doesn’t have to be this way. North Carolina has the wealth to fund public education so…
New analysis: Property tax proposal would block $950M for local governments
New analysis from the NC Housing Coalition confirms what we knew about the proposal to put stricter limits on property tax collections in the state Constitution through a ballot measure this fall: It won’t deliver relief to homeowners struggling with unaffordable property tax bills, but it will significantly reduce local governments’ ability to deliver services…
We built America by coming together. Our tax code should reflect that.
Neighbor by neighbor, town by town, city by city. Every great change in our country has started the same way: People came together to find a way forward. North Carolina’s fight against poverty in the 1960s and our response to disasters in both eastern and western parts of the state show what is possible when we work together across our differences to meet shared challenges. One way we come together is by pooling our resources. Taxes are how we invest in the things none of us can build…
New SNAP Error Rate Reveals Why North Carolina Cannot Afford to Limit Revenue
Starting October 2027, North Carolina could be responsible for paying $140 million in SNAP benefit costs, according to newly released U.S. Department of Agriculture data. Nearly 1.3 million North Carolinians will be counting on the state to fully cover those costs so they can continue putting food on the table. The need for food assistance will not simply disappear because North Carolina cannot afford to sustain it. If state…
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…