skip to main content
skip to newscasts

Friday, March 29, 2024

Public News Service Logo
facebook instagram linkedin reddit youtube twitter
view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

The latest on the Key Bridge collapse, New York puts forth legislation to get clean energy projects on the grid and Wisconsin and other states join a federal summer food program to help feed kids across the country.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Republicans float conspiracy theories on the collapse of Baltimore's Key Bridge, South Carolina's congressional elections will use a map ruled unconstitutional, and the Senate schedules an impeachment trial for Homeland Secretary Mayorkas.

view newscast page
play newscast audioPlay

Historic wildfires could create housing and health issues for rural Texans, a Kentucky program helps prison parolees start a new life, and descendants of Nicodemus, Kansas celebrate the Black settlers who journeyed across the 1870s plains seeking self-governance.

Poll: Majority of North Carolinians Feel Overly Taxed Under McCrory

play audio
Play

Wednesday, April 20, 2016   

RALEIGH, N.C. - If your state tax bill seemed a little higher this year, or your refund a little lower, you're not alone.

A new poll by Progress North Carolina Action and conducted by Public Policy Polling found nearly two-thirds of North Carolinians believe state taxes have gone up for working families in general.

This comes after Gov. Pat McCrory's tax reform announced in 2013 promised economic growth for all.

Logan Smith, communications director with Progress N.C. Action, says people are now finding out that's not the case.

"More and more people are realizing they were really just lied to," says Smith. "The governor said that so-called tax reform would benefit everyone, but working families are being asked to pay more in taxes, but they're really getting less."

More than half of North Carolinians say McCrory's tax policies primarily benefit corporations and the wealthy, instead of working families.

The governor's plan created a flat 5.75 percent tax on an individual's income and reduced the corporate tax rate. Supporters of the tax reform say it will boost the state's economy and lure new business to the state.

Earlier this year a sales tax on things like car repair and other services was put in place.

Smith and numerous economists say sales taxes have a disproportionate impact on lower and middle income families since they spend a greater portion of their income on goods and services.

He says instead of recognizing the unintended consequences of the tax reform, the state is moving forward.

"They are more interested in doubling down on their failed tax scheme," says Smith. "For example last year, instead of realizing that taxes had gone up, they raised sales taxes even more and then they lowered the corporate income tax."

The poll also found that more than half of North Carolinians say the state has reduced the quality of and access to public services such as public schools, infrastructure and services for older Americans in recent years.


get more stories like this via email

more stories
A report from the Tennessee HealthCare Campaign recommended the federal government needs to strengthen 340B drug pricing and other federal negotiation mechanisms to make needed medicines more readily available and less expensive for hospitals to purchase and administer. (Spotmatikphoto/AdobeStock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

A recent report examined how some rural Tennessee hospitals have managed to stay afloat despite financial challenges. The report includes interviews …


Social Issues

play sound

Earlier this month, a new Arizona Public Service rate hike went into effect and one senior advocacy group said those on a fixed income may struggle …

Social Issues

play sound

Michigan recently implemented a significant juvenile justice reform package following recommendations from a task force made up of prosecutors…


Nearly 13 million Americans receive health coverage through unique plans under both Medicare and Medicaid. They are known as Dual-Eligible Special Needs Plans. (Adobe Stock)

Health and Wellness

play sound

Medicare and Medicaid are key sources of health coverage for many Americans and some people qualify for assistance under both programs. With lagging …

Social Issues

play sound

A mix of policy updates and staffing boosts has helped to put wage theft enforcement on the radar in Minnesota, and officials leading the efforts are …

More than six in 10 Americans favor keeping the abortion pill mifepristone available in the U.S. as a prescription drug, while over a third are opposed, according to a Gallup poll. (Adobe Stock)

Social Issues

play sound

New research shows more than six in 10 abortions in the U.S. last year were medically induced, and U.S. Sen. Catherine Cortez Masto - D-NV - is …

Social Issues

play sound

Colorado is working to boost the state's agricultural communities by getting more fresh, nutritious foods into school cafeterias - and a new online …

Social Issues

play sound

Missouri lawmakers are concerned with protecting people from the potential risks of the increasing accessibility of AI-generated images and videos…

 

Phone: 303.448.9105 Toll Free: 888.891.9416 Fax: 208.247.1830 Your trusted member- and audience-supported news source since 1996 Copyright © 2021