Cedric Johnson: Irresponsible tax shift

State leaders aim to lock in their desire to shift the tax load to middle- and low-income taxpayers and away from the wealthy and powerful corporations. Senate Bill 817 would ensure this becomes reality in North Carolina. A greater reliance on sales taxes asks more of lower income North Carolinians, who pay a higher share of their incomes in sales taxes than the wealthy and powerful.

The top 20 percent of income earners in North Carolina have received more than 70 percent of income tax cuts passed since 2013. This tax shift will continue under SB817. Lawmakers in support of this radical proposal claim they are being fiscally responsible. Being fiscally responsible means our growing state has the resources needed to ensure all communities across the state can thrive and that future policymakers have all tools available to balance their budgets.

State leaders have made clear their aim to diminish state support for public investments that foster broad prosperity. Their intentions are clear, and they do not bode well for North Carolinians who aspire for a promising future. We deserve better, and future generations of North Carolinians deserve the freedom to shape their future.

This story was originally published June 20, 2016 at 4:56 PM with the headline "Cedric Johnson: Irresponsible tax shift."