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On taxes there is a different set of rules that helps the rich, but not the working class
Tax revenues support public investments and therefore are the cornerstones of effective public structures and prosperous communities. In order for our tax structure to work it must be fair across income levels and tax enforcement must be applied consistently. Unfortunately that is not the case as it is clear that when it comes to taxes […]
Proposed Federal Tax Cut 2.0 will not help North Carolinians. Here are three things to know
What is happening? Under the heading “Tax Reform 2.0,” the House Ways and Means Committee has introduced new proposed legislation that follows the federal tax plan that was passed into law by President Trump late last year. The proposed Tax Cut 2.0 would permanently preserve a number of provisions that went into effect in 2018 […]
North Carolina’s physical and nutritional health has worsened since 2008
[Note: As we explained earlier this summer in a post entitled “North Carolina needs help to meet strategic health objectives by 2020,” North Carolina is at real risk of failing to meet a series of objectives identified in 2010 as part of the “Healthy NC 2020” initiative. This post is part of a summer series […]
Report: North Carolina’s latest state budget fails to effectively address N.C.’s existing and emerging needs
The NC Budget & Tax Center has released a report explaining the 2019 state budget that was passed this year by the state legislature and begins by pointing out North Carolina lawmakers approved a state budget “that falls short of helping all North Carolinians live healthy, prosperous lives.” The report explains that the new $23.9 […]
Medicaid and Medicare mark 53rd anniversary by continuing to serve millions of North Carolinians today
Medicaid and Medicare were signed into law on July 30, 1965 – exactly 53 years ago this week. Since these programs were created, they have given millions of people access to a doctor so they can maintain their health. Over the long-term, these programs have provided significant returns on investment, such as benefiting children into […]
North Carolina has failed to make progress on mental health issues for 10 years
[Note: As was explained earlier this month in a post entitled “North Carolina needs help to meet strategic health objectives by 2020,” North Carolina is at real risk of failing to meet a series of objectives identified in 2010 as part of the “Healthy NC 2020” initiative. This post is part of a summer series […]
North Carolina needs help to meet strategic health objectives by 2020
The State of North Carolina is not doing enough to promote the health of its people. In 2010, the State of North Carolina identified 13 major health focus areas and established 41 decennial health objectives and targets to meet by the year 2020, with the goal of making North Carolina a healthier state. Unfortunately, our […]
Federal tax plan and ongoing federal budget debates make N.C.’s future uncertain
Six months have passed since the federal tax law took effect, and there should be no uncertainty by now that President Trump and many in Congress intend to continue to call for more federal budget cuts and promote a federal cost-shift to the states. While the $1.5 billion federal rescission package that Trump proposed appears […]
Re: State Govt Employees – Legislature misses opportunity to align state staffing with priorities
The legislature has been touting its living wage proposal for state employees—an important first step in recognizing the important role that these workers play in our communities and the economy even if it appears not to include some of the lowest paid workers. But alongside consideration of various aspects of state employment should be an […]
Legislature’s budget fails to properly account for $40 million loss in federal funds for Medicaid
By rushing the budget process and working to pass a $23.9 billion state budget in less than a week, legislators are putting our state in a deeper hole by failing to account for the loss of federal funds that have begun under the Trump administration. It is known that Governor Cooper has called for Medicaid expansion, […]
It’s official: Legislature’s new budget marks TEN consecutive years of declining state investments
The legislature has released a $23.9 billion budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year that fails to invest adequately in our schools, communities and people. Under the budget, total state spending for FY2019 remains below 2008 pre-recession spending as the proposed budget marks ten consecutive years that state spending has declined as a share of the […]
A rushed, closed door budget process doesn’t align with NC values, can’t effectively identify NC priorities
North Carolina’s legislative leaders will not be in Raleigh for too long during this year’s short session. Over the past few weeks, behind closed doors, legislative leaders in the House and Senate have been putting together their budget and plan to move it through this week through a process that will allow for no input […]