Republican General Assembly Passes Ballot Measures To Limit Income And Property Taxes

This week, the North Carolina House and Senate passed three constitutional amends, two of which will provide voters the opportunity to limit state income and local property taxes.  

Supported by all House Republicans and unaffiliated Reps. Carla Cunningham and Nasif Majeed, the constitutional amendment in House Bill 1089 directs the General Assembly to establish levy limits that prevent local governments from raising property taxes beyond a set threshold, like inflation and population growth. Other states with similar levy limits typically allow higher increases under certain circumstances, such as voter approval through a referendum. 

On the same vote lines, the House also passed Senate Bill 1080, which will cap the state's income tax rate at 3.5 percent, and House Bill 443, which modifies the process for filling vacancies in elected Council of State offices. 

This week’s votes place SB 1080 on the statewide ballot for this November, while House Bills 1089 and 443 now advance to the Senate for their approval. 

On HB 1089, Speaker Destin Hall said, "Property taxes are out of control, and some local governments are abusing their power by overtaxing and underdelivering for their constituents. It’s time for real reform, and this constitutional amendment on levy limits will help stop runaway property tax hikes and protect North Carolina taxpayers." 

The third constitutional amendment requires the government to fill a council of state vacancy with a member of the same political party as the outgoing member.