The News and Observer blasted Republicans in the General Assembly yesterday over a new ferry toll mandate in southeastern North Carolina. A broader look at the state’s finances demonstrates that overspending and resistance to budget cuts are really to blame.
Amid vivid imagery of our coastal region and the iconic struggle of its working class citizens, the lengthy piece points a decisive finger at Republicans for disrupting this culture with a new toll. The ‘Voice your Choice’ section alongside offers more information about Gov. Perdue’s commitment to avoiding the tolls. Her quote on how Republicans burdened these everyday North Carolinians seals the takeaway of this coverage – shame, shame on the GOP.
Big government fails
Collecting the ninth highest cumulative gas tax average in the nation, the Department of Transportation still can’t cover its obligations. The state spends 56% of its funds on education and gets dismal results. We are witnessing the failure of tax-and-spend policy in our state.
Budget cuts that balance the state’s books receive widespread criticism and resistance, but deficits are the cause of one-off revenue increases like the ferry tolls. The alternative supported by N&O staff and the governor is to raise taxes on the entire state by almost $1 billion, a burden on residents that calls this attack piece into serious question.
What do my constituents say?
I remind callers concerned about the gas tax increase that most Democrats oppose my intention to cut this tax and end automatic recalculations during the next session. Currently silent on the issue, liberals prefer to let Republicans suffer for their policy that keeps gas prices and tax revenues high. That policy will change in May.
When business owners call about their new unemployment tax rate increase, I remind them the governor again extended jobless benefits in January beyond the state’s ability to pay. The federal penalty for her failure to address that debt is hurting businesses who already pay the federal unemployment tax (FUTA) and support the state’s unemployment trust.
When friends ask who is running for governor on the Democratic side, I can only assure them the candidates will support Perdue’s sales tax increase.
With an open view of state revenue and spending horizons this attempt to blame Republicans for the ferry toll sinks. I do appreciate the coverage of coastal North Carolinians and the undue burden of tax and fee increases on their working lives.
I hope the N&O maintains support for limiting taxes and government spending to grant these citizens a more prosperous quality of life.
