Hardister Says State Budget Is Transformative
Dear Editor,
This year’s state budget is perhaps the most transformative in North Carolina’s history. It is balanced, responsible and provides funding for the core services of government.
Funding for public education increases by $1.5 billion. State employees, including teachers, receive an average 5 percent pay increase, along with bonus pay. UNC tuition is kept below the national average and record funding is provided for our community college system. State retirees receive a 5 percent COLA bonus.
There is an increase in funding for health care services, including an expansion of Medicaid coverage for people with disabilities. Postpartum care for mothers is extended to one year.
We also enacted tax cuts, including a reduction in personal income taxes, increased standard deductions (which primarily benefits lower-income families) and a gradual elimination of the corporate tax (which is passed on to consumers). This will allow hard-working families to keep more of the money they earn.
In addition, this budget invests over $6 billion in infrastructure projects for transportation, state parks, education facilities, broadband, and National Guard facilities – all without incurring any debt.
This budget will continue our efforts to make North Carolina the best place to live, work and raise a family.
Rep. Jon Hardister
NC House Majority Whip
This is a good budget. Thanks. But with the state coffers overflowing, could you not consider repealing the outdayed, regressive, and vestigial Food Tax?
You know, if you want to “allow hard working families to keep more of the money they earn”.
It would help every single human being in North Carolina, especially young working families, and it requires no bureaucracy or administration or program.
I’m from England where sales tax is 20% and petrol costs $7.00/gallon, but even they don’t tax food.
Everyone’s gotta eat, for God’s sake.
Your petrol doesn’t cost $7, even for an imperial gallon. It costs about $3. The rest is tax.
Precisely!