"Speak Out" is an expression of opinion from the Editorial Board of WBTV, and is presented by General Manager, Nick Simonette.
"Dead on Arrival…"
That's what North Carolina senate leaders are calling Governor Perdue's latest proposal for a sales tax increase.
And we think it should be.
Granted, North Carolina and other states will suffer when federal stimulus money runs out after the current school year.
But where does that federal stimulus money come from?
Well, you and me the taxpayer.
We can't see further dampening our already depressed economy with yet another tax increase.
Locally, we're still at about 10% unemployment. Many of us haven't seen a raise in years.
This three-quarters-of-a-cent tax increase would cost each of us an extra $10-15 a month –
money we then don't have for food, clothing, or utility bills.
The Governor feels this is "a fight worth having."
But if education is THAT important, why the great "shell game"?
Remember when the education lottery was first proposed?
Lottery revenue was supposed to supplement the state's general education budget, not replace it.
Instead, its allowed lawmakers to shift funds from that education budget to other pet projects.
And even the sacred "education" lottery funds have been raided to help pay for highway construction and other, supposedly more vital, needs.
If our students' education is THAT important, and we believe it is, then let's cut funding for other lower-priority projects.
North Carolina citizens simply can't afford another burdensome tax.
Because WBTV is "On Your Side," we encourage everyone to "Speak Out" – tell us what YOU think. SpeakOut@wbtv.com.
