Problem With State Lawmakers

Article By Writer Michael Kraft Author: Michael Kraft
Published: April 12, 2007
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Related: North Carolina News Local News Charlotte News

Problem With State Lawmakers and Tax’s
From: Takebackcharlottemecklenburg.com

Senate Bill 1201, sponsored by Senator Daniel Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg) wills double the tax we pay on new automobiles. Let us take a car that cost $20,000, in which the buyer pays $600 in taxes. Now, if Senate Bill 1201 becomes official $600 in taxes will become $1,350 or so. This is really sticking it to the taxpayer.

If our elected officials would just remember, two simple thoughts: States and Cities lure businesses with promises of tax abatement’s well as goodies. They would do better with broad-based tax cuts.

Today’s tax-break winner is tomorrow’s victim of a broad increase in business taxes

Charlotte local taxes and fees of approximately $2,185.00 each citizen two years ago, now North Carolina ranking is #1 for local government cost with our major cities. This is for the fifth year in a row. Too many times our city and county have not provided for our core services during budget time. Our police departments to our roads have suffered and we suffer right along with them.

City officials and county officials are torn with each other about the new funding plan for the Wachovia Cultural Campus. The car rental tax has been question that is supporting the project. Why are we subsidizing this project? Some of Mecklenburg County’s delegation is not on board with the proposal, since in a short session controversial bills are not heard. For more insight, see the link below “City, companies at odds over rental tax.”

Charlotte voted down school bonds and our school officials went crazy. You would have believed that a school shooting had occurred. CMS Officials started the name-calling and figure pointing immediately. Our officials insisted that children do not matter to Charlotte Citizens, all because we want accountability?! Unbelievable as it seems, that was the case.

Time has come to face the facts that state lottery is not going to save CMS Schools and that the school board will always be questioned.

John Locke Foundation reported, 2005 CMS bond referendum would finance the first three years of a proposed ten-year, $1.975 billion school construction, and renovation plan. In addition to the $427 million requested in this year’s bond referendum, the plan will require the citizens of Mecklenburg County to approve, at minimum, a $550 million bond issue every two years for the next seven years. Even if the state gave Mecklenburg County Schools every school construction dollar generated from the lottery, it would not be enough to finance the construction and renovation projects outlined in its proposed capital needs assessment. School districts can manage enrollment growth using proven, cost-effective construction, renovation, and maintenance solutions that are taxpayer-friendly and enhance educational opportunities.

Some school districts are using non-traditional funding methods like public-private partnerships to finance new construction. Others are lowering capital expenditures by adapting and reusing buildings, rethinking design standards, revising financing policies for stadiums and sports facilities, building modular schools, and using virtual schools. Finally, districts are experimenting with innovative institutional arrangements such as real estate trusts and non-profit organizations, to manage construction and renovation projects more efficiently.

Questions:
How high will our taxes become from city, county, and state officials?
When will taxpayers obtain a stand about the waste of our tax dollars?

Sherman Peabody
Mark A. Palmer
Take Back Charlotte Mecklenburg