Vote NO on constitutional amendments

Recent sessions of the General Assembly have shown their thirst for power. There can be no greater evidence of this than in the three constitutional amendments they put on the November 3^rd ballot.

Our primary opposition to all three is that our Constitution is the foundational cornerstone of our state. It is neither intended to be tinkered with nor reflective of current mood swings. We can modify, repeal or add to laws, policies or regulations, but amendments should be carved in stone, so to speak. The last North Carolina constitution was passed in 1971. In the 55 years since, it has been amended a total of 37 times – 22 times between 1971 and 1995 and 15 times since.

Additionally, our General Assembly has studiously avoided hamstringing future sessions. Most everyone who has served in that body understands and accepts the tradition of not tying the hands of those who follow. Not this current bunch.

Let’s discuss the amendments.

Income taxes. The ballot reads: “Constitutional amendment to keep the state income tax rate from being raised higher than three and one-half percent (3.5%).” This runs headfirst into the hands-tying tradition above, but let’s debate it on its merits.

When Republicans first took control of our legislature in 2012 the personal income tax rate had three marginal tax brackets ranging from 6% to 7.75%.

North Carolina has enjoyed a strong economy and state revenues have exceeded budgeted amounts in millions (even billions) of dollars. The Republican-led legislature has done well in managing finances, however they prefer cutting taxes rather than expanding or even creating new services for people or market-level pay for teachers and state employees.  In 2018, we passed an amendment to cap the personal tax rate at 7%, a very reasonable proposal that passed handily. The state hasn’t had a 7% rate since 2014. The budget recently passed pegs the personal income tax rate for the current year at 3.49%.

Let’s cheer that our state is healthy, prosperous and that revenues exceed expenses. But large numbers of us can remember how quickly the economy can change and if people’s incomes take a hit, like in COVID, state revenues will follow. We hope we don’t see that downturn, but how will the state pay its bills if that happens and it is unable to raise the number one source of revenue? What services might be reduced or eliminated?

Sure, the proposal is popular. A Catawba College poll said 80% favor it. The Carolina Journal poll reported 62.9% favor it. Understandable. Few like to pay taxes of any sort. We want the services, but we want the other person to pay them. Just because this amendment is popular doesn’t make it a good. It isn’t good public policy.

Property Taxes. This opens another can of worms. Your ballot reads, “Constitutional amendment requiring limits on property tax increases by local governments.”

Yes, property taxes have escalated at shocking increases in many counties. Property taxes are one of the few areas where cities and counties have flexibility in raising revenues. It is fair to question whether local governments have taken the easy way of raising revenues instead of exercising more budget discipline.

Property taxes are supposedly reflective of property values. In times past property valuations and rates were adjusted every few years. Now they are raised almost yearly. Property owners have a valid complaint about how frequently and how much they have increased.

This amendment may be popular, however it is toothless. The wording is so vague it doesn’t tell who is going to determine what limits are acceptable, how fast taxes can be raised or what rates will be levied by whom on which counties. Anyone who understands government knows those decisions will ultimately be made by our lawmakers, hopefully meeting with local officials, to find solutions. Are we just taking the blank check away from counties and giving it to legislators?

If any of the three amendments deserves consideration it might be the one requiring photo ID for all voters. Our state agreed on requiring photo IDs in 2018. This year’s amendment is essentially just an addendum to the 2018 constitutional amendment requiring those voting in person to present a photo ID.

North Carolina has little actual experience requiring a photo ID for mail-in ballots and we don’t know the best and most acceptable way to implement it. Let’s take the time to learn more before slapping another amendment on our constitution…an amendment that might require, like the 2018 effort, an amendment to the amendment. Let’s not be too hasty.

Likely, all three will pass. We believe that Republican legislative leaders, fearful of a blue wave in November, were basically trying to find ways to turn out their Republican conservatives. We suspect it will work.

But that doesn’t make them good governance. They might come back to bite us. We say vote NO.

Tom Campbell is a Hall of Fame North Carolina broadcaster and columnist who has covered North Carolina public policy issues since 1965.  Contact him at tomcamp@ncspin.com