Mark G. Rodin: Poll revenge

After noticing the letters published March 22 about our new state income tax structure and reflecting on the decision of U.S. Sens. Richard Burr and Thom Tills not to support Loretta Lynch for U.S. attorney general, I have the distinct feeling Republicans in the state General Assembly might have an unwelcome surprise in November 2016 provided senior citizens and African-American voters can find their photo identifications or birth certificates proving U.S. citizenship to obtain the necessary IDs.

My CPA has told me and my wife that we owe $936 in North Carolina income taxes because we can no longer deduct contributions made to two scholarships I support at the University of North Carolina, UNC TV, North Carolina Public Radio (WUNC-FM), the North Carolina Symphony and the N.C. Museum of Art. These contributions amounted to $2,630 last year. Meanwhile our current General Assembly continues to reduce the amount of funding provided to these state-supported institutions and now punishes us by removing favored treatment on our tax returns. Our contributions to our synagogue ($1,600) and other charitable organizations also can no longer be deducted.

Shame on the General Assembly Republican majority. May they be hastily sent to the poor house!

This story was originally published March 28, 2015 at 4:00 PM with the headline "Mark G. Rodin: Poll revenge."