Wilmington StarNews Online – In 2003, a breakaway group of Republicans stood with Democrats in the state House and voted to extend temporary sales and income taxes, saying together that it was the right thing to do. On Thursday, with the question of a second two-year extension of those taxes before the state House, the coalition divided.
Democrats were for and Republicans against. Even Speaker Pro Tem Richard Morgan, the Moore County Republican who served as co-speaker with a Democrat during the 2003-04 session, voted against extending the taxes.
On Thursday, the House proposal passed 63 to 54 on a party-line vote. In 2003, the budget bill that extended the taxes passed 76-39. Then, 16 Republicans voted yes, including four Republicans from Southeastern North Carolina. (more…)
Our stories may be republished online or in print under Creative Commons license CC BY-NC-ND 4.0. We ask that you edit only for style or to shorten, provide proper attribution and link to our web site. Please see our republishing guidelines for use of photos and graphics.
