North Carolina voters have approved two constitutional amendments that will place new limits on state income taxes and require restrictions on local property tax increases. We respect the decision of the voters and recognize the importance of responsible taxation and fiscal stewardship. At the same time, we must remain equally committed to another fundamental responsibility: ensuring that every child in North Carolina has access to a sound basic education, as guaranteed by our state constitution.
These amendments have important, more permanent implications for how our state and local governments fund public education and other essential services. State income taxes provide a significant share of the resources supporting our public schools, while local property taxes help fund school facilities and other critical community needs. As these revenue options become more limited, policymakers will face increasingly difficult decisions about how to meet the needs of our growing state.
It is important to recognize that reductions in North Carolina’s individual income tax rate were already scheduled under existing law. The constitutional amendments establish additional, long-term limits on future revenue decisions. While North Carolinians may hold different perspectives on tax policy, we share a common interest in strong communities, responsible government and a public education system that prepares our children for success.
North Carolina continues to face significant challenges in how we fund our public schools. These challenges require thoughtful planning, responsible investments and a sustained commitment to ensuring that students have the teachers, facilities, programs and support they need to thrive. The decisions we make about revenue and spending must be guided not only by our fiscal priorities, but also by our constitutional responsibilities and the future we envision for our children.
The Public School Forum of North Carolina remains committed to working with policymakers, educators, families and communities across our state to advance solutions that strengthen public education. We recognize that difficult choices lie ahead, but those choices must never cause us to lose sight of the children whose futures depend on the decisions we make today.
The hopes and dreams of North Carolina’s children must remain at the center of our decisions. Our responsibility is not simply to balance budgets, but to ensure that every child, regardless of their ZIP code or circumstances, has a meaningful opportunity to learn, grow and succeed.
That is our constitutional responsibility, our shared commitment, and the work we must continue together.
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