DURHAM - The Durham Committee on the Affairs of Black People is "overwhelmingly" opposed to Durham County's proposed 1-percent prepared-food tax, committee chairwoman Lavonia Allison said Monday.

Allison said that the committee opposes the tax increase because it considers the tax regressive toward low-income taxpayers. The tax would primarily pay for recreational amenities such as museums and parks, and for some marketing, beautification and work force training.

The committee's food-tax position was a key item among the committee's endorsements for the Nov. 4 general election. The endorsements can play a significant role in close elections because of the committee's political influence in the county.

The committee endorsed the Democratic presidential ticket of U.S. Sens. Barack Obama and Joe Biden, and U.S. Senate candidate Kay Hagan, by acclamation. For governor, it supports Democrat Bev Perdue, and in the 4th Congressional District, Democratic incumbent David Price.

In local legislative races, the committee endorsed all Democratic incumbents: Bob Atwater in Senate District 18, Floyd B. McKissick Jr. in Senate District 20, Larry D. Hall in House District 29, Paul Luebke in House District 30, and H.M. "Mickey" Michaux, who is unopposed, in House District 31.

For a full list of Durham Committee endorsements, see blogs.newsobserver.com/bullseye/home.

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