Statement from Alexandra Sirota on House budget: Tax cuts for wealthy, corporations threaten quality of life for all North Carolinians

Time to invest in the foundations of thriving communities

RALEIGH (May 31, 2017) — North Carolina lawmakers should not have to choose between the House or Senate budget. Instead, they should choose to do what is right for our state.

While the House has taken a more prudent approach by cutting taxes less than the Senate, there will still be unmet needs and missed opportunities across North Carolina as a result of more tax cuts and the continued loss year after year from tax cuts passed since 2013. In the face of proposed federal funding cuts as well as unmet needs for rebuilding Eastern NC after Hurricane Matthew, these cumulative losses will be compounded.

The potential of promoting the well-being of all North Carolinians and a high quality of life in every community is threatened without reconsidering the current approach that privileges tax cuts for the wealthy and profitable corporations over investments in thriving places.

Each year that our lawmakers fail to fully review and debate the tax changes and their impacts is another year that we are missing an opportunity to assess our priorities and our commitment to build a stronger economy for everyone. Our leaders can choose to improve classroom experiences for every child, revitalize the main streets of every community and promote the health and well-being of families and seniors.

It is no longer enough to stop cutting taxes year after year, although that remains the first step to be taken. It is time for policymakers to get serious about the unmet needs in North Carolina and choose to create a tax code that meets the needs of North Carolina today and in the future.

FOR MORE INFORMATION, CONTACT Alexandra Sirota, alexandra@ncjustice.org, 919.861.1468; Julia Hawes, julia@ncjustice.org, 919.863.2406.