More than 73 percent of North Carolina adults support or strongly support an increase in the state’s cigarette tax as a way to close a growing budget shortfall, according to an Elon University poll released Friday.
The survey also found support for increasing taxes on beer, liquor and wine. The support for a cigarette tax hike comes despite concerns from the tobacco industry that sustains about 65,000 jobs in North Carolina – the nation’s largest tobacco-producing state.
Poll director Hunter Bacot said the so-called “sin taxes” generally see higher support than others because they affect a select group of people. He said that support appears to be growing as the economy worsens.
“People realize that something has to be done, but they’re willing to let other people do it before they themselves have to sacrifice,” Bacot said, adding that he is a smoker. “They’re saying ‘go there first.’”
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Gov. Bev Perdue has launched a Web site to track how money from the federal economic stimulus bill will pay for projects in North Carolina.
The site, www.ncrecovery.gov, also will provide information about local contract and grant opportunities.
It will be a guide to the services of the newly created Office of Economic Recovery and Investment. In the coming weeks, visitors will be able to track money as it is spent, suggest projects for funding and learn how to apply for contracts and grants that may be available.
“I am committed to providing the people of North Carolina with a simple-to-navigate guide that is efficient, transparent and accountable,” Perdue says. “I want the people of North Carolina to understand exactly how the money will be used to put North Carolina back to work.”
The federal government has created a similar site related to the stimulus bill at www.recovery.gov.
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Budget cuts confronting state politicians could inhibit the ability of the High Point Furniture Market to promote itself to furniture industry insiders.
North Carolina is considering eliminating the nearly $900,000 the state contributes toward marketing the market each year. The state gave the event an extra $500,000 for promotional spending last year.
In all, North Carolina taxpayers spent more than $2.5 million to support the market last year.
High Point Market Authority president Brian Casey doubts the cuts will become a reality because lawmakers understand the market’s economic impact.
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