Raleigh – The Joint Interim House and Senate Finance Committee on Tax Reform has now met four times since November 3. Unfortunately, there has been little progress reforming North Carolina’s revenue structure. It is time for an accounting.

After participating in the first three meetings House and Senate Republicans released their “Proposed Principles for Job Creation through Tax and Spending Reform”. These thoughtful proposals outline how North Carolina can achieve a more equitable tax structure while providing an economic environment to foster business growth and job creation. So far no response has been received from the Democrats, either to the proposals as a whole or to any of the separately stated principles.

“It’s past time for the Democrats to lead or follow in reforming North Carolina’s tax laws,” said House Republican Leader Paul Stam (R-Wake).

The Republican members of the Joint Interim House and Senate Finance Committee on Tax Reform continue work on this project. However, it is time for our colleagues in the majority to indicate whether they intend to offer a proposal and, if so, what it is.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said, “This process resembles the approach of Democratic leadership at the national level. It leaves the people in the dark and does nothing to address, much less solve, the problems currently facing our state.”

A recent report quotes both the Speaker of the House and House Finance Committee Chair Paul Luebke that they expect no action on tax reform until after the next election. Why? We have seen no proposal from Senate Democrats. We have seen no proposal from House Democrats. What proposal have they rejected?

Revenues are expected to be less than projected in the current budget. Our citizens continue to suffer unprecedented unemployment levels exceeding 10 percent. Tax reform and job creation are needed now. Each committee meeting costs the taxpayers thousands of dollars in staff time for preparation, as well as travel and per diem for the members.

North Carolinians continue to await a response to our tax reform proposals.