Bob Rucho: Teachers ahead

A recent story on the defunct one-weekend sales-tax holiday used the example of a 17-year teacher who paid an additional $27 out-of-pocket on classroom supplies this year. Leaving aside that state education funding has increased every year under Republican leadership, the story failed to mention that since the last sales tax holiday, teachers with 17 years’ experience have seen an increase in base salary of $6,600 – or 17 percent – thanks to teacher pay raises passed by the General Assembly.

Due to historic tax reforms, they have also seen a reduction in their state personal income tax rate and can now even opt to claim a state tax deduction for purchasing classroom supplies up to $250.

Even after subtracting the $27 the teacher would have saved with a sales tax holiday, she still winds up thousands of dollars better off than she would have been four years ago.

The same is true for the vast majority of North Carolinians who are keeping more of their hard-earned tax dollars thanks to the billions in tax relief provided by state Republican leaders. Working families have more money in their pockets 365 days per year, which more than offsets one-time savings from a single weekend.

The writer, a Republican, represents the 39th District.

This story was originally published August 24, 2016 at 4:44 PM with the headline "Bob Rucho: Teachers ahead."