I wrote back a post back in February speculating on why Republicans are now losing the tax issue to Democrats when voters are polled on which party do they trust more to keep taxes low.
Further evidence why Republicans are losing the issue:
High Point, was one of three Republicans to vote with Democrats to pass
the budget.
Although Bingham said he disliked passing a budget with unspecified
taxes, he said the state would almost certainly need to raise some new
revenue to avoid deep cuts to basic government services. (emphasis mine)
I'm not exactly sure what Sen. Bingham would consider basic government services, but considering he voted for the budget last year that included such "basics" as:
- $900,000 for the Hunt Horse Complex in Raleigh
- $600,000 in planning funds for the African Pavilion at the NC Zoo.
This commits state government to another $24.4 million in future
capital funding to complete the project.
- $2.7 million in non-voter approved debt for the NC Zoo Polar Bear Exhibit renovation and expansion.
- $4.3 million in non-voter approved debt for a “Research Oyster Hatchery”
- $12.9 million in non-voter approved debt for a Film School Production Design Facility at the NC School of the Arts
- $500,000 for “Green Industries Education and Promotion”
- $2 million for an “Oyster Sanctuary Program”
- $450,000 increase funding for the North Carolina Symphony
- $500,000 for promoting the CIAA Basketball tournament in Charlotte
And since we've already learned that the state is saving hundreds of millions of dollars by doing drastic actions like turning off computers at night, Sen. Bingham's comments completely miss the mark.
As long as Republicans are out there advocating more taxes and higher government spending voters will continue to think Democrats are better for them on keeping taxes low.
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