The North Carolina Senate has approved a resolution that will enable voters to decide if they should change the state constitution to limit the ability by local governments to raise property taxes.
MyFox8 reports the property tax measure on the November ballot will enable the General Assembly to pass laws limiting property tax increases. However, the measure does not set the parameters on what the limits could be.
All 30 Republicans in the Senate plus a single Democrat voted in favor of the resolution.
“It is our duty as members [of the legislature] to put guardrails in place to protect the people of North Carolina,” said Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus). “Let’s not be coy. No one gets priced out of the home they own. They get taxed out of the home they own. So, when high property taxes cause hardship and pressure people out of their homes, it is the government’s fault.”
Under the proposal, the General Assembly would be required to pass laws limiting how much property tax collections can increase, though lawmakers could still allow exceptions.
Supporters said the amendment is needed to help homeowners dealing with elevated tax bills and property revaluations.
“Let’s not be coy. No one gets priced out of the home they own. They get taxed out of the home they own. So, when high property taxes cause hardship and pressure people out of their homes, it is the government’s fault,” said Echevarria.
However, Democrats warned that restricting property tax collections would further burden local governments that area already struggling to fund services that the state has stopped supporting.
“They’ve underfunded our schools, our emergency management divisions, our court systems and our district attorneys,” said State Rep. Eric Ager (D-Buncombe). “Additionally, we have continued to pass unfunded mandates and costs that our local governments are forced to fund. They don’t have a choice.”
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