Doing so would effectively become a one-two punch in the face of North Carolina taxpayers. It could even impede the state’s economic recovery.

You may notice when you go to a restaurant or retail store that the sales taxes on your receipt are higher than they used to be. That’s not an illusion. Last year approved an increase in your sales tax. Lawmakers also approved a number of other things that they call “revenue enhancers” that you call “taxes.” Among them were increases in sin taxes on alcohol and cigarettes.

By increasing taxes and using federal bailout money coming from Washington, state officials were able to forego making the really tough decisions regarding spending priorities.

Now that revenue collections are coming in below projections, some are once again calling for increasing taxes. …

But they don’t seem to mind if other North Carolinians have to do without in order to accomplish their goals. If North Carolinians are paying more for tobacco, alcohol and legal services, there will be less money left to pay for other things.

That could stifle recovery in other sectors of the economy, resulting in still diminished state revenues in future years.

Last year’s tax increases certainly haven’t done anything to help North Carolina’s economy recover. There’s no reason to believe that more tax increases, such as the ones proposed by NCAE, will help put the state’s economy on the road to recovery either.

Click here for the full editorial from the Kinston Free Press…

When ConAgra Foods announced Wednesday it will shut its Slim Jim plant in Garner and move production to Troy, Ohio, it followed a trend.

Ohio finished first in Site Selection magazine’s 2009 standings, also released Wednesday. The placement was based on the number of new and expanded corporate facilities.

North Carolina ranked seventh, an enviable position but a dip from fifth in 2008, fourth in 2007 and third in 2006.

North Carolina also slipped last year in the annual United Van Lines study. Looking at more than 140,000 interstate household moves, United found more families moving into North Carolina than moving out. But the state’s ranking as a destination was 10th-best, compared to third just the year before.

The Charlotte Observer reported similar findings Thursday for the state’s largest city…

By some measures, including an unemployment rate that’s higher than the national average, North Carolina isn’t doing well.

Although still attractive to new residents and businesses, the appeal doesn’t seem to be as strong as it was just a few years ago. Leaders need to discover the reasons — whether tax rates, education, infrastructure, regulatory costs — and make adjustments. …

Click here for the full editorial…