RALEIGH — Local school districts now are barred from starting the school year before Aug. 25 and ending it after June 10. Former Senate President Pro Tem Marc Basnight, D-Dare, who represented eight coastal counties in the state Senate until his resignation in January, pushed for the law on the premise that it would boost tourism.
HILLSBOROUGH — If a Nov. 2 referendum were approved, Orange County’s sales tax rate would jump to 8 percent sometime in 2011 and generate an estimated $2.3 million per year in additional revenue.
RALEIGH — Saturday, Nov. 14, North Carolinians can join with others from around the state promoting limited government and lower taxes to state lawmakers at the “Taxpayer March on Raleigh,” sponsored by North Carolina FreedomWorks.
RALEIGH — Tax protesters across North Carolina continue to share their displeasure about government bailouts, costly stimulus packages, and pork-barrel spending. They’ve gathered to take part in a series of “tea parties,” including one set last weekend in Graham.
RALEIGH — It began in February when cable news pundit Rick Santelli suggested a Chicago “tea party” to protest the Obama administration’s economic policies. Since then, Americans in hundreds of cities have joined forces to organize tea parties of their own, all in the name of cutting wasteful government spending.
RALEIGH — A growing number of federal and state lawmakers are considering new types of taxes, called value pricing or direct user charges, to finance highway construction and maintenance projects to make up for a projected shortfall in fuel tax revenues as vehicles become more fuel-efficient. Among the nonhighway toll concepts being funded through millions of dollars in grants from the U.S. Department of Transportation are mileage-based taxes, congestion pricing, surcharges for parking during peak hours, parking cash-out policies, and pay-as-you-drive pricing.
RALEIGH — The Clay County Board of Commissioners withdrew a referendum on a land-transfer tax Tuesday after critics pointed out that the county failed to notify voters of the special election soon enough to conform to state law.
RALEIGH — Educating without advocating is a fine line that county commissioners are required to walk as a number of local tax options go before North Carolina voters this May. But some observers say local government officials are violating state law by using public dollars to wage media campaigns to persuade voters to support the tax increases.
RALEIGH — The chances for a statewide vote on property rights protection dimmed this summer, when the N.C. Senate refused to endorse a constitutional amendment targeting eminent domain abuse. Voters will not address the issue before 2008.
RALEIGH — Vance County officials’ plans to implement zoning regulations have aroused opposition by an organized and vocal citizens group who became enraged when they learned that planning of the zoning ordinance had progressed for years without their knowledge. Tonight! Follow election results with John Locke Foundation bloggers in The Locker Room, with analysis of legislative races; the Wake County Schools bond and Durham district attorney race; congressional contests including the N.C. 11th District race between Rep. Charles Taylor and Heath Shuler; and much more!
