House lawmakers who met Wednesday for the first meeting of a committee focused on property taxes all agreed that the current system is squeezing North Carolinians’ wallets.
What wasn’t immediately clear by the end of the inaugural meeting Wednesday was what exactly the General Assembly would — or could — do about it.
The state needs to find “equitable and fair ways to tax,” Rep. Jeff Zenger (R-Forsyth) said. Rep. Carla Cunningham (D-Mecklenburg) remarked that “we feel like we’re being taxed to death.” And Rep. Brian Echevarria (R-Cabarrus) recalled a neighbor whose tax bill had recently doubled in one year.
Lawmakers have introduced a slew of bills this year adjusting and expanding already-established relief programs, focused on homeowners who are seniors or people with disabilities. But all of those measures have failed to pass both chambers and will have to wait until 2026.
The legislature’s power on the issue is limited — county governments set property tax rates, not the state — but multiple Republicans signaled Wednesday that they were interested in finding ways to slash regulations that some lawmakers say drive up costs of building and developing new homes. That includes compliance, zoning approval, building codes and other standards.
“I think if we address the regulatory cost in this industry and have an honest assessment … on what role we play, we get a double payoff on this,” said Campbell.
Property tax relief has become a priority for many conservatives and Republicans as lawmakers search for ways to drive down costs of living, while also stuck in a standoff between the House and Senate over whether to again lower the state’s income tax rate.
Some Democrats, however, are wary of tax cuts — income or property — that they fear could leave state and local governments without funding for key services.
“We might completely underfund the things that we find important,” said Rep. Maria Cervania (D-Wake), a former county commissioner. “Our public schools … for my other-side colleagues, vouchers. I want us to be cognizant of the quality of life we’re building.”
One possible pain point for those seeking to lower property tax rates: the cost of law enforcement.
The N.C. League of Municipalities, which represents the interests of cities and towns, hasn’t taken a stance on the legislature’s property tax discussions because of the lack of specific legislation.
But the group has circulated materials showing that public safety makes up a significant chunk of local governments’ budgets — upwards of 40% — and that spending on public safety has kept pace or exceeded growth in those governments’ budgets.
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