Action ALERT: Stop Repeal of Transfer Tax Funding Option

 Prepared for WakeUP Wake County by Paula A wolf, Paulatics LLC

Sen. David Hoyle (D-Gaston) led the charge in the Finance Committee last Wednesday with his bill, SB 1951-REPEAL TRANSFER TAX. The bill received a nearly-unanimous favorable report. It was placed on the Senate calendar for Thursday, but Sen. Hoyle removed it and re-calendared it for Tuesday, June 17th.

Some pundits are now reporting that the repeal language may be included in the Senate's tax package and be part of their budget, which is due out next week. Just like last year, when the option was included in the budget, Even Members who might be in favor of the local option will feel pressure to vote FOR the budget.

Say what you are comfortable saying, but please include the first two points below.

...I am a member of WakeUP Wake County, a nonpartisn, nonprofit group of citizens concerned about good growth in Wake County and the entire State of North Carolina.

...I strongly oppose SB 1951-REPEAL TRANSFER TAX. I urge you to vote NO on this bill if it comes to the Senate Floor. It is on your calendar for Tuesday, June 17th.

...In 2007, the General Assembly gave the counties the option to raise a real estate transfer tax with a vote of the people.

...It is true that several of these referenda failed at the ballot last year. However, it is unwise to disenfranchise voters who are concerned about the funding of good growth.

...The citizens in high growth counties should have the right to decide if it is needed to help build new schools, parks, roads, water and sewer projects, etc. that are needed because of growth.

...The transfer tax is already used as an effective way to pay for growth in 6 NC counties and in many other states.

...The only other option is increasing everyone's property tax and that is the real "home tax."

...In Wake County alone, a 0.4% transfer tax could raise approximately $40 million annually and could help pay up to $400 million of an expected billion dollar school bond in 2009 to pay for new schools.

The "BIG" chairs of the Senate Appropriations Committee

Sen. Linda Garrou (D-Forsyth)
(919) 733-5620
(336) 922-4192
Lindag@ncleg.net

Sen. Charlie Dannelly (D-Mecklenburg)
(919) 733-5955
(704) 392-1227
Charlied@ncleg.net

Sen. Charlie Albertson (D-Duplin)
(919) 733-5705
(910) 298-4923
Charliea@ncleg.net

Sen. Walter Dalton (D-Cleveland)
(919) 715-3038
(828) 287-2908
Walterd@ncleg.net

Sen. Kay Hagan (D-Guilford)
(919) 733-5856
(336) 379-8721
Kayh@ncleg.net

President Pro Tempore of Senate
Sen. Marc Basnight (D-Dare)
(919) 733-6854
Marcb@ncleg.net

Majority Leader, Rules Chair
Sen. Tony Rand (D-Cumberland)
(919) 733-9892
(910) 222-8096
Tonyr@ncleg.net

Sen. Dan Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg)
(919) 715-8331
(704) 334-3684
Danielc@ncleg.net

Sen. David Hoyle (D-Gaston)
(919) 733-5734
(704) 922-4969
Davidh@ncleg.net

Sen. John Kerr (D-Pitt)
(919) 733-5621
(919) 734-2910
Johnk@ncleg.net

For a complete listing of all Senators, go to...
http://ncleg.net/gascripts/members/memberList.pl?sChamber=Senate

Sen. Hoyle: We gave the counties the option of raising a transfer tax with a referendum. It happened. Sixteen counties placed it on the ballot in November. Babe Ruth would not be happy with this record; they all struck out. Ninety-seven percent to 3 percent. The people feel they should not have this issue hanging over their heads. The County Commissioners could keep putting it on the ballot anytime.

Jim Blackburn, Association of County Commissioners: Thanked them for giving the counties the option. It is way too soon to make sweeping conclusions. The Association opposes this legislation. The counties that do have the ability to raise a transfer tax are consistently the top spenders in education.

Paul Wilms, Homebuilders: This is 20 for 20. The people have overwhelmingly said no, by a margin of 3:1. Even the Chapel Hill News opposes this as an unfair tax.

Sen. Austin Allran (R-Catawba): I certainly support this bill. The Commissioners say they want the option. Frankly, I find this disingenuous and a form of intimidation.

Sen. Kinnaird: I am strongly opposed to this bill. The message about the transfer tax was obfuscated by an unfair fight. There was no voter education on the [referenda] and the counties can't advocate one way or another. The mailers said, 'home tax.' Why not say, 'shopping mall tax'? This was a tactic and it was emotional. This is a foolish and short-sighted bill.

Sen. Julia Boseman (D-New Hanover): I agree with Sen. Hoyle. My people oppose this tax. I move for a favorable report.

Sen. Floyd McKissick (D-Durham): I see this as a revenue option. It equalizes the playing field. I think the only thing this legislation would do, for those opposed to it, it would allow them to save that money to fight it. This bill is short-sighted and highly inappropriate. It is undemocratic not to allow the people the option [to vote].

Sen. Dan Clodfelter (D-Mecklenburg): He was chairing the meeting. He said he supported the bill, but for a different reason - which he did not say.

Sen. Boseman's motion passed overwhelmingly by a voice vote. It was not recorded; most committee votes are not. I heard Sens. Kinnaird and Malone say no. Others may have, but I could not discern anyone else. Some Members did not vote at all.