Blogs

RALEIGH (May 14) – The tax reform plan announced by state Senate Republicans last week is just another charade designed to make people think they are actually reducing taxes, the Libertarian Party of North Carolina state chair said in a statement today.

“Calling it the Tax Fairness Act and claiming it's the largest tax cut in state history is misleading at best,” said J.J. Summerell. “Taxes are inherently unfair. The only difference between taxes proposed by Republicans and Democrats is which special interest group is going to benefit and which is going to pay.”

Just wanted to share y'all on our press release. If you'd like to share the graphic on Facebook, click on it below.

Tuesday, May 14, 2013
10:00 AM
Contact: Sam Spencer
Phone: (919) 322-YDNC
sam@ydnc.org

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The Young Democrats of North Carolina released the following informational graphic opposing Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger's working class tax hike:

Many of us have been moved to tears and anger after watching interviews with those who participated in the Moral Monday demonstration yesterday. Their inspiring actions are beginning to create a powerful shift in the political conversation here in North Carolina, and maybe even around the world.

As we move forward to press the case for freedom and fairness, let's keep focused on the root cause of the problems we're facing. Our Republican-controlled legislature is not a legitimate government. Their supermajority power came through rigged elections in every House and Senate district across the state. They barely won the popular vote, but still ended up with nearly three quarters of the seats in the legislature.

Our Republican-controlled legislature is not a legitimate government. We have no obligation to obey or respect the laws they pass or the actions they take. On the contrary, we have a moral responsibility to resist them at every turn.

What’s going on in North Carolina’s 3rd Congressional District?

• By Tony Parks

I recently attended the 3rd District Democratic Convention in Greenville, North Carolina at the request of Marshall Adame, a potential candidate for Congress. Marshall could not attend because he is overseas at the moment and he asked me to attend and do some polling on the convention floor. After sitting through the entire proceeding, and having spoken with many super nice, interested and stanch Democrats, I came away thinking to myself; What is going on in the 3d Congressional District of North Carolina?

I came to this convention expecting a group of Democrats that were tired of losing, tired of being overlooked for many years by the State and the National Organizations of the Democratic Party, tired of a 14 year losing streak and tired of being tired. What I found was a group of Democrats, however interested in winning, were all but leaderless. Needless to say I was a bit surprised.

The national spotlight if finding its focus on North Carolina again: we are the new front line in the fight for freedom and fairness. All of us should be proud of those who have put themselves on the line in Raleigh.

Meanwhile, our illegitimate government continues to be a joke.

Robbing Peter to pay Paul:

Companies such as Exxon Mobil and Sempra Energy are seeking federal permits for more than 20 export projects that could handle as much as 29 billion cubic feet of natural gas a day. If approved, the resulting export boom could lead to further increases in hydraulic fracturing, a drilling technique also known as fracking. It has allowed companies to gain access to huge stores of natural gas underneath states from Colorado to New York, but raised widespread concerns about alleged groundwater contamination and even earthquakes.

Looking beyond the perils of radically increasing fracking, this issue could have a huge impact in several other areas, not the least of which is our struggling manufacturing sector. The impetus is (of course) the fossil fuel industry being frustrated that domestic prices have plummeted thanks to their zest for poking holes in the ground. And from what I can see, they're likely the only ones to (net) profit from these desired exports. But they've got drill-baby-drill Republicans and revenue-hungry Democrats both lining up to give a thumb's-up, so this thing is probably happening. Get ready.

The case is going to trial, as we all knew it would. Republican apologists so far have only one thing to say:

Nanny nanny boo boo. Mean old Democrats cheated for decades and now that we're in charge, we're going to cheat too.

How can it be that we live in a state where so many people have such little respect for law and morality? Gerrymandering was wrong when Democrats did it, and it's wrong now. Any elected official who doesn't understand that should be driven from the legislature like Jesus drove money lenders from the temple.

General Assembly Police limited media access to #ncga protest, putting most photographers far from the protest arrests tonight. #ncpol

— John Frank (@ByJohnFrank) May 13, 2013

From the NC Budget and Tax Center

Last week was a busy one for tax policy. Here’s a review of what happened:

The Institute for Emerging Issues hosted a compelling debate on tax issues featuring Elizabeth Malm from the Tax Foundation and Jared Bernstein from the Center for Budget and Policy Priorities. Click here to watch.

Meanwhile, Senator Berger announced the Senate leadership’s plan to cut taxes. Berger, along with Senators Rucho and Rabon, presented a vague tax plan that cuts tax rates but expands the sales tax to more products and services, which would mean higher taxes for many North Carolinians. It reduces tax revenue by $1 billion which will force cuts to investments that people and businesses depend on. BTC’s analyses of similar tax plans show such tax cuts would result in low- and middle-income tax payers paying more taxes, while wealthy individuals and corporations pay less.

Other legislative developments last week similarly favor the wealthy over average North Carolinians while risking important state investments:

This is why DOMA must die. This is why same-sex married couples must be a part of any truly comprehensive immigration reform.