Bringing Raleigh home
From the Office of N.C. Sen. Steve Goss
RALEIGH
When I first became a member of the General Assembly in 2007, I began immediately talking with other legislators about the need for major tax reform in North Carolina. Most of us have seen the transformation from a manufacturing-based economy to a service-based economy up close as some family member, friend or acquaintance has seen job after job leave our state for supposed greener pastures overseas.
At the same time, North Carolina has found itself in a daily competitive battle with other states across the South and even the nation as we attempt to bring 21st century technology-advanced jobs back into our state’s communities.
A major problem with luring those new, well-paying technology-based jobs to our state has been our antiquated tax structure, dating back to the agrarian-induced tax system of the Great Depression era. If we are to be consistently competitive in bringing jobs to our state, we must take the necessary step of making major tax reform in North Carolina.
With the economy in the throes of an unparalleled downturn not seen in our lifetime, there will never be a more natural time than now to bring the North Carolina economy into the 21st century with a competitive edge that will bring jobs not only for this generation, but for generations to come.
Will it be controversial? You bet it will. All progressive initiatives are controversial. That said, it is perfectly clear to our people in North Carolina that the “tax and monetary” incentive that has been central to North Carolina’s attempt to permanently bring jobs to our state has been an abysmal failure.
Too many times has North Carolina’s state and local government reached out with corporate welfare to such giants as Dell computers, only to see the initial number of jobs created by their overtures be trumped by the layoffs of these same jobs.
To reform our tax system now will give us opportunities we have not seen in a generation. We can create new jobs and hopefully bring back some of the manufacturing jobs we have lost to other states and nations.
To do this major reform will call for a bipartisan effort by our political parties for the future of North Carolina and our children and grandchildren. The tax rate on corporations and small businesses will need to be reduced dramatically if the plan is to work. To offset this reduction, as is done in other states, a tremendous widening of the tax base will be necessary.
Counties and municipalities must be held harmless so a greater tax burden will not be cast on our local governments, as well. In the long run, we will benefit greatly at every level of life: community, town, county, state.
Feel free to contact me to share your opinions on any issue you feel is important.
For more information and comment, call Steve Goss at 828-265-2943 or go to http://www.senatorstevegoss.com.
45th Senatorial District
Raleigh: (919) 733-5742
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North Carolina Senate
1118 Legislative Building
Raleigh, N.C. 27601-2808
