The Senate finalized its hurried approval of a new gas tax proposal today and as Budget and Tax Center analyst Tazra Mitchell explained yesterday, there are actually some things to like in it. Most notable among these is the bill’s recognition that tax rates will have to rise in the coming months and years to begin to meet the state’s infrastructure needs.
As today’s Fitzsimon File explains, however, the bill has some obvious and significant problems as well. First, is the wholly inadequate process whereby such a momentous and complicated proposal was rammed through with essentially no opportunity for public input. Second, is the silly camouflage that’s been added in the form of a temporary tax cut that will cost hundreds of Department of Transportation workers their jobs. And third is the inclusion of a totally unrelated proposal to tax people who lose their homes in foreclosure for some of the debt relief they receive (mind you, the people have still lost their homes). Great target for higher taxes there, senators!
Let’s hope the House addresses these flaws when the bill moves to the other side of the Legislative Building next week. Let’s also hope that the House considers one very obvious tool to address the inherently regressive nature of a rising gas tax: reinstating the state earned income tax credit (or EITC).
As Mitchell explained yesterday:
“Policymakers should reinstate a state EITC to offset the fact that the gas tax hits low- and middle-income taxpayers hardest. The state EITC was a key tool to ensuring that low-wage could keep more of what they earn and afford the costs of working, including gas and child care. Reinstating a state EITC to ensure that the gas tax does not further increase the tax responsibility on working North Carolinians struggling to make ends meet is critical.”
It’s depressing as hell, but everyone who cares about North Carolina public policy should make 