Raleigh, N.C. – Legislative Democrats are expected to pass the state budget through the General Assembly today and Governor Beverly Perdue is expected to sign it into law.  The budget represents a departure from previous statements made by the Governor about tax increases and funding for education.

“I don’t believe that you can raise taxes in an economy with folks struggling the way they are,” Beverly Perdue, as a candidate for governor (“First task: Fill N.C. budget hole,” News & Observer, 10/23/08)

“And yes, even in these tough times… we will increase per-pupil spending in our public schools.” Governor Beverly Perdue, State of the State Address (“Full Text: Gov. Bev Perdue’s State Of The State Speech,” NBC17, 3/9/09)

“For more than three months, I have laid out options for a budget that addresses two priorities: the budget cannot be balanced on the backs of working families, and it must have the revenue necessary to protect our public schools.”  (Governor Beverly Perdue in a letter to public school teachers and teacher assistants, 7/27/09)

The Democratic budget will raise taxes by more than $990 million.  The vast majority of new revenue will be raised through a one-cent increase to the state sales tax – the most regressive state tax and a tax paid by every North Carolina citizen.  In addition, there are $225 million in cuts to education in the Democrats’ budget that will be passed down Local Education Administrations (LEAs) to make spending reductions at the local level.  Next year, there are an additional $300 million in cuts to be passed down to LEAs.  The average public school teacher in North Carolina is paid $45,000 per year, including benefits.  A cut of $225 million to classrooms could cost the salaries of up to 5000 teachers.

Senate Republican Leader Phil Berger (R-Rockingham) said, “Governor Beverly Perdue promised not to raise taxes during this recession and promised to protect our children’s education.  The budget making its way to Governor Perdue’s desk could cause as many as 5000 teacher to lose their jobs.  In order to keep her promises to the people of North Carolina, Governor Perdue should veto this budget.  Otherwise, she will join legislative Democrats by endorsing a plan that will slow North Carolina’s economic recovery and take money out of classrooms.”