Tagged: Higher Taxes

State lawmakers have rebuffed Charlotte officials who hoped to double the local restaurant tax in order to renovate Bank of America Stadium.  Instead, the city will have to rearrange existing restaurant tax revenues to help the Panthers. Visitors to Charlotte may find that good news, since WFAE's Julie Rose reports the city already ranks among the most taxing for tourists.

The Charlotte City Council has, yet again, delayed a decision on raising taxes to fund capital improvements, including a streetcar extension.

The mayor convened three meetings this fall to work out a compromise. But Monday the council decided it would rather wait and tackle the tax hike plan in the spring when it's approving the rest of the city budget.

Councilman James Mitchell cited uncertainty about taxes and spending at the state and federal level in urging the delay. But Councilwoman Patsy Kinsey doubts a few more months will make a compromise more likely.  

North Carolina legislative leaders will unveil a plan Wednesday to pay back a massive debt to the federal government. The state owes nearly $2.5 billion for money it borrowed during the recession to pay for unemployment insurance.

Legislators in charge of the plan to pay that back say the solution will likely include fewer benefits for the unemployed and higher taxes for some businesses.

North Carolina's unemployment insurance is fully funded by businesses. Most of them pay a tax on every employee they have, and that money goes into a giant trust fund.