State legislators have introduced a last minute bill (H1224)1 which, if passed, would force many local governments to choose between properly funding public transit, public education, or any other local priority. This is especially true of the state's most populous counties, like Wake and Mecklenberg counties.
We don’t think we should have to choose between education and public transit. Send a message to your state leaders and urge them to oppose H1224 today: http://action.ncconservationnetwork.org/transiteducation
The Raleigh News & Observer reports on H1224:
"Counties would be limited to local sales taxes totaling 2.5 percent. Wake now has a 2 percent local sales tax and is allowed under current law to raise it to 2.75 percent – so this would reduce Wake’s revenue options.
If this bill became law, it could force Wake to choose between a prospective half-cent tax for transit and a quarter-cent to boost teacher salaries, as has been suggested by some commissioners."2
Here are just some of the reasons this bill makes no sense for North Carolina:
Since all NC counties already have at least a 2% sales tax, this bill would allow only another 1/2 cent increase ever, no matter the topic.
Counties like Wake (one of the fastest growing in the state), which have not yet levied a tax for transit or education, would likely be forced to choose between the two. This has the potential to eliminate the possibility for the passage of a long awaited transit plan in Wake County!
Tell your state legislators that we shouldn’t have to choose between education and public transit: http://action.ncconservationnetwork.org/transiteducation
Thanks,
Brittany Iery
NC Conservation Network
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