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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,…
State teacher raises fall short; Local governments left to fill the gaps
State leaders have been touting the average 8 percent pay raise they delivered for North Carolina public school teachers, but that headline obscures how the state budget fell short: teachers are still not paid what they deserve and local governments are left to cover millions of dollars in raises. What did the state budget actually…
State leaders pass SNAP costs to counties while limiting their ability to pay
The harmful One Big Beautiful Bill, or H.R. 1, made deep funding cuts to SNAP and shifted more of the program’s costs onto states. Instead of stepping up to cover North Carolina’s new costs, state leaders chose to shift them onto local governments in the approved Fiscal Year 2027 state budget. Beginning in October 2027,…
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…
2026-27 North Carolina Budget Report: Tax cuts for corporations and millionaires, and higher costs for counties and families
Note: Here are links where you can access the budget bill and the committee report. You also can see how members of the NC Senate and NC House of Representatives voted on the approved budget. Unless otherwise noted, the analysis in this report reflects SB 257 (2026 Appropriations Act) and not the subsequently passed technical…
Income tax limits would deepen racial inequity in NC
No matter who we are or where we live, North Carolinians believe that everyone – Black, brown, and white – should have the opportunity to thrive, support their family, and plan for the future. Our tax policy decisions have the power to level the playing field and fund the public services that help us all…
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…
NC workers fuel our economy. Tax cuts do not.
Working people power the economy. Their labor delivers critical services to make all of our lives easier, creates new products and technologies, builds roads and infrastructure to connect us, and provides the care that heals our communities. If the economy is strong, it should support the people who make it possible. But when policymakers choose…
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…