McCrory may veto sales tax redistribution

by Jim Bradley, WSOC-TV, June 19, 2015.

Two key political voices said they believe they can block a controversial proposal to redistribute sales tax revenue in North Carolina.

Gov. Pat McCrory and Rep. Bill Brawley (R-Mecklenburg) say they believe the measure will face a tough road in the N.C. House.

This week, the N.C. Senate passed a budget plan that includes a proposal to begin sending more sales tax revenue to poorer counties by taking it from large urban counties that generate a bulk of the state's sales taxes.

Mecklenburg County Commission Chairman Trevor Fuller blasted the Senate plan Friday morning in a rare news conference

"Already, Mecklenburg County is a donor county,” Fuller said. “Although we represent 10 percent of the state's population, we contribute 20 percent of the state's revenue."

The Senate plan would divert an additional $62 million from Mecklenburg over the next five years, Fuller said.

"Without question, this Senate plan is bad for Mecklenburg," Fuller said.

City and county leaders are getting support from local legislators and the governor.

Brawley said he'll have lots of questions when the Senate plan gets to the House Finance Committee he co-chairs.

"We need the big cities for the health of the whole state," Brawley said. "We want to get a reasonable budget that makes sense for all of North Carolina. But I don't think the Senate plan makes sense."

McCrory also opposes the measure.

He calls the sales tax distribution plan a hidden tax on urban taxpayers.

"I'll do everything I can to stop that sales tax proposal," McCrory said.

Asked if he'll consider a veto, McCrory responded, "I never talk about vetoes beforehand, but my signals are pretty clear."

http://www.wsoctv.com/news/news/local/house-member-mccrory-hope-block-sales-tax-redistri/nmg38/