Tax Protest Comes to Raleigh

A year after lawmakers approved a $440 million tax hike, protesters gathered across from the Legislative Building on Monday determined to stop another increase.

“We don’t have a budget crisis. We have a spending crisis. It’s an addition to spending,” Jonathan Hill, state director of the anti-tax group Citizens for a Sound Economy, told about 175 people.

The protest was the 17th stop in a series of 22 “Tar Heel Tea Parties” held around the state. The events are being organized by CSE and the conservative John Locke Foundation.

Outside the Legislative Building, people carried signs reading, “Honk for No New Taxes” and “It’s Not Your Money, Easley.”

The crowd faced the Legislative Building first, then the Capitol, chanting, “No New Taxes.”

As Hill read a list of 15 legislators who signed a no-tax pledge last year but still voted for a budget that included the tax increase, they gave each a hearty boo.

Hill spent much of his time criticizing Gov. Mike Easley and lawmakers for failing to effectively manage the state’s budget.

“It’s kind of an unusual thing to come to Raleigh and ask for less,” he said.

For the second straight year, state government faces a revenue shortfall expected to exceed $800 million. Legislators also are looking at the possibility of cutting as much as $1 billion from agency budgets to balance next year’s books.

The fiscal crisis is largely the result of slowing tax collection in a recession.

Although lawmakers aren’t expected to take up any broad tax increase measures like those passed last year, John Hood of the Locke Foundation said they were saying essentially the same thing this time last year.

“If they promise you they are going to spend money, where are they going to get the money? From you,” Hood said.

Several people in the crowd had their own messages to spread.

Bob Morris of Rocky Mount wandered around in a red Santa suit, carrying a sign reading, “The Liberals Have Promised a Better Christmas Than I Can.”

“If I ran a business like they run the government, where would I be? In jail, ” Morris said.

Jeanne Morrissette of nearby Knightdale carried a sign advocating for a group that wants to replace the national income tax with a sales tax, getting rid of the Internal Revenue Service.

“My husband is a tax accountant and he is sick of it,” she said.