Budget, Taxation & Economy
At the state legislature, Locke advocates for limiting the expenditure of tax dollars and strictly limiting its tax burdens on families and businesses.
April’s Jobs Report Explained
North Carolina’s unemployment rate decreased again in April from March’s rate of 3.5% to 3.4% according to the latest release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. The national rate also decreased…
Strong Business Startups in North Carolina Continue at Near-Record Levels
North Carolina Secretary of State Elaine Marshall announced during this month’s small business week that new business filings are still at near-record levels in North Carolina. During the first four months of…
Senate Budget Proposal Emphasizes Income Tax Cuts, Workforce Training, New Reserves
The North Carolina Senate released its biennium budget proposal this week as scheduled, with the expectation of meeting with the state House to establish a conference budget before the current…
Pork Wish Lists This Budget Season, Revealed
Special provisions continue to thrive in North Carolina. The last biennium budget was loaded with special projects, and the forthcoming one may be no different. These special provisions, also often called earmarks…
Prices Increased 0.4% in April; Consumers Squeezed Despite 10th Rate Increase by Fed
The Consumer Price Index (CPI) rose 0.4% in April after increasing 0.1% in March according to the latest release from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. CPI has increased each month of the last year with the…
March’s Local Jobs Report Explained
The monthly local jobs report reveals unemployment rates and related economic indicators at the county level. The local jobs report for March released today shows unemployment rates decreased in 61 counties, increased…
Wake County Proposes Another Tax Increase
Another tax hike would help fund a 49% increase in Wake schools funding over 6 years, despite falling attendance.
North Carolina’s Next Budget Should Do These Five Things
It’s budget season in the Tar Heel State. We have high hopes that this biennium budget can allow for substantial benefits to North Carolinians. The state House released its budget proposal for…
March Jobs Report: Decreasing Unemployment, But Concerns Lie Beneath the Surface
North Carolina’s unemployment rate dropped to 3.5% in March according to the latest release from the North Carolina Department of Commerce. This is lower than February’s revised rate of 3.6%, yet 0.2…
Covid Funding Again Found to Lack Oversight
A new report from the State Auditor’s office found that the state failed to properly oversee federal Covid-19 spending money. The recent audit didn’t find “misspending,” but it did find that the…
Ten Years Ago: Ended False Promises
In 2013, the new General Assembly held the sales tax at 4.75%, while expanding the base. Consumption-based taxes like the sales tax are more stable and less economically destructive than…
Ten Years Ago: Higher Wages and More Jobs
In 2013, the new Republican-led General Assembly took steps to foster economic growth by lowering the state’s corporate income tax rate. The corporate income tax is a burden that ultimately…