Alexandra Forter Sirota
Posts by Alexandra Forter Sirota
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…
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…