Local Tax Bills Fill Hoppers

RALEIGH — The General Assembly is in session, and for localities, that offers the hope of favorable changes to state law. North Carolina cities and counties are creations of the state and possess only as much authority as the legislature grants them. Nowhere is this limit more apparent than in localities’ taxing power. While municipalities and counties are free to raise property tax rates, imposing new forms of taxation or raising many of the existing levies requires legislative approval. To date, bills have been filed that would allow for additional taxation in at least 21 localities.