Last week, North Carolina lawmakers returned to Raleigh following a week-long break, with a slate of constitutional amendments in motion.
Some of the amendments have already passed both chambers in the General Assembly, meaning they will appear on the ballot in November.
The first two amendments revolve around tax measures, including a change to property tax that could threaten essential services funded by local government, and an income tax rate measure that provides another massive tax break for the wealthy few, and more.
According to The News & Observer, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein called the constitutional amendment capping the income tax rate a “con” and a “cynical shell game” that would put the burden for raising revenue on the backs of “regular” North Carolinians.
Gov. Stein stated that the cap would make “regular people pay the consequences of it”. In the event of a recession or if additional revenues are needed, that could increase the sales tax. Currently, the state sales tax is 4.75%, with consumers also paying local sales taxes on top of that.
Other Republican-led constitutional amendment proposals would restructure labor policy, the State Board of Education, and further limit executive authority. The proposed “Right to Work” amendment reinforces a ban on mandatory union membership, a gift to corporate donors that does nothing for working families struggling to make ends meet.
Several organizations and leaders have condemned these amendments, with labor groups highlighting the “unnecessary political attacks” on North Carolinians and workers’ rights.
Recently, in a letter sent to state lawmakers, IAM Union International warned that the “right to work” would further weaken workers’ ability to organize and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions.
“North Carolina already has had ‘right-to-work’ provisions in state law since 1947, and this political attack on the constitution is shameful and unnecessary,” wrote IAM Union International President Brian Bryant in the letter.
“This attempt to enshrine anti-union verbiage in the state constitution is also a waste of taxpayer dollars, and pushes North Carolina in the wrong direction. The ‘right-to-work’ state laws weaken workers’ ability to unionize and collectively bargain for fair wages, benefits, and safe working conditions. Rather than improving workers’ lives amid growing costs of living, these anti-labor laws harm lower and middle-class workers as they are associated with lower wages than in states without them.”
These amendments come as North Carolina enters its tenth month without a comprehensive state budget, delaying funds for health care, lowering costs, and supporting our educators through proper raises.
During the short session, state Democrats have proposed a long list of legislation and measures that provide real solutions to rising costs, education, and more. However, at a time when many communities and local governments are struggling, state Republicans are too occupied with creating distractions rather than passing a state budget.
“What I want is a long-term sustained investment in the public servants who do the people’s business. What the constitutional amendment does is consign us to a bleak future,” stated Gov. Stein during a press conference last week.
