Statement on Governor’s Proposed Budget by Alexandra Sirota, Executive Director of the NC Budget & Tax Center
The budget stalemate cannot be resolved without reconsidering the push by NC Senate leadership to eliminate income taxes — a policy direction that is putting children’s education at risk, stretching family budgets, and reducing access to child care and health care across North Carolina.
The Governor’s call to stop scheduled tax cuts that primarily benefit the wealthiest households and profitable corporations is a welcome first step. Bold leadership in the coming weeks will be essential to ensure the state doesn’t continue down the current unsustainable path where revenue will decline due to tax cuts even as the cost of meeting people’s basic needs continues to rise.
When our elected leaders call on everyone to pay their fair share — corporations and the very wealthy — we can strengthen opportunity and deliver broadly shared prosperity across the state.
The Governor’s budget begins to invest in priorities that North Carolinians have identified in their communities, including higher pay for teachers, free breakfast for public K-12 students, more affordable housing, and a Working Families Tax Credit for low- and moderate-income workers who are struggling the most with the rising cost of living.
But the scale of chronically neglected needs in our communities — and the scale of food assistance and health care cuts from the current federal administration — is enormous. These needs will require state funding commitments beyond those included in the Governor’s recommendation — commitments that are attainable in a prosperous state like North Carolina.
North Carolina needs a budget that makes life more affordable and supports well-being in every community. That will require the NC General Assembly to take a comprehensive, long-term, and fiscally responsible view of our state’s financial position — and stop prioritizing tax cuts for the few over investments that benefit us all.
