Berger Decries "Tax on a Tax"

From WTVD in Raleigh:

House and Senate Democrats in the North Carolina Legislature have signed off on a plan that would raise nearly $1 billion in taxes.

The deal comes as they work towards n agreement on the state budget.

House Speaker Joe Hackney said Wednesday fellow Democrats in his chamber are ready to support the deal reached with Senate counterparts. Democrats in both chambers held separate caucus meetings to discuss the $982 million plan.

The deal would raise the sales tax rate by a penny, add an extra 2 percent onto income tax bills and increase the cost of a pack of cigarettes by 10 cents. Alcohol taxes also would go up. …