The NC Senate is prioritizing personal income tax over Medicaid expansion and medical marijuana legalization
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State Senate Chairman Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) expressed his support for halving the state’s income tax rate as lawmakers prepare the upcoming budget proposal for North Carolina Gov. Roy Cooper (D).
Last year’s budget agreement fell to 4.99% and could fall further every year until 2027 when it hits 3.99%. However, Sen. Berger said it should go even lower, saying, “2.5% sounds good to me.”
Photo by Kelly Sikkema via Unsplash
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In recent weeks, new polls conducted by the Differentiators — a Republican firm founded by two of Senator Berger’s former associates — have been released by the GOPAC Education Fund and the Center for American Ideas, showing support in the legislative districts for cutting the Personals found income tax rate at 2.5% in 2030.
However, Democrats oppose a further cut in the income tax rate. In lieu of this measure, they are supporting a one-time rebate of $200 to help people cope with soaring gas prices.
What do NC lawmakers say about legalizing marijuana for medical use?
Differentiators’ polls have found broad support for expanding Medicaid, legalizing medical marijuana, and cutting state income taxes.
In early June, the Senate passed legislation to expand Medicaid coverage to about 600,000 more people and make changes related to access to health care. Sen. Berger considers this to be “good state policy”.
In addition, the Senate passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana and another bill that addresses parental rights in education and also restricts the way LGBTQ issues are taught in schools.
RELATED: Legalization of medical marijuana passes North Carolina Senate with bipartisan support
However, House Speaker Tim Moore (R-Cleveland) said that matter may have to wait as he will first focus on reaching a budget agreement.
“I’m very confident that next year the Republicans will have a supermajority. When I say next year, I mean in six months. We can then deal with that,” Moore concluded.
This article originally appeared on Benzinga and has been republished with permission.
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