by Chris Neeley
3/2/05

Last week, Governor Easley released his new budget for the state. You won't believe what he's proposing -- in fact, before I tell you -- you might want to sit down; if you're driving -- pull over and take a deep breath.

Governor Easley's budget for North Carolina includes more than $1.7 billion in tax increases, a 6 percent increase in government spending and a 34 percent increase in debt.

You heard it right the first time -- Governor Easley is planning to increase our taxes by $1.7 billion.

That's an average tax increase of $202.21 on every man, woman, and child in North Carolina. In fact that's more than the cost of my daughter's school lunch for one full year.

Governor Easley, who once said he wouldn't raise taxes on the backs of hard working North Carolinians, is offering up one of the most fiscally irresponsible budgets in recent history. It comes at a time when government growth should be limited and taxes should be cut.

And keep in mind that this is just Governor Easley's proposed budget -- wait until the politicians down on Jones Street get their hands on it. It's sure to go up even more -- at least that's what their track record has proven.

Included in Governor Easley's tax increases are higher taxes on cigarettes, liquor, candy, newspapers, phone, satellite and cable services, movie tickets, a continuation of the so-called temporary sales tax, which was supposed to expire in 2003, and a tax on live entertainment like the circus!

That's right -- the governor wants to raise taxes on candy, movie tickets and the circus.

The governor better be glad he doesn't have to run for office again, because if he did, and the kids of our state could vote, he would most assuredly be thrown out of office.

Raising taxes on seniors and hard-working citizens is one thing -- but to raise taxes on the backs of our children -- that's just down right shameful.

In fact, I can visualize the letters Governor Easley is bound to receive from children all across this state.

Allow me to offer one example of the type of letter Governor Easley is sure to receive from one of our state's most precious gifts -- our children:

Dear Governor Easley:

The other night, I heard my parents talking about money and how hard it is to pay all the bills and taxes we owe.

This morning on my way to school I asked Daddy what a tax is; he said a tax is money we earn that goes to the government. He said the government taxes us too much.

Daddy said he and Mommy work real hard to make sure I have a good life -- but the government makes it harder for us to get ahead.

Mr. Governor, Daddy said you want to raise taxes on our phone, cable TV, and candy.

He said you want to raise taxes on the circus too -- that's sad. Now I don't know if I'll be able to go to the circus next year for doing well on my report card.

Governor Easley, please don't raise our taxes -- I love my parents and I don't want them to worry any more about how they're going to take care of me.

Signed Sarah

Now I wish I could be a fly on the wall so I could see the governor's reaction to the letter by Sarah.

I say shame on the governor for proposing $1.7 billion in tax increases on the backs of North Carolina families.

Take action today and oppose the governor's $1.7 billion in tax increases by signing our online petition and make your voice heard.

Together we can defeat the governor's proposed tax increases and restore real North Carolina values by supporting a Taxpayer's Bill of Rights amendment to curb wasteful government spending.