The Goolsby tax

by | Aug 25, 2013 | Editor's Blog, Education, NCGA, NCGOP, Tax Reform | 4 comments

Leave it to a Republican to call for an increase in property taxes. That’s exactly what State Senator Thom Goolsby (R-New Hanover) did. You see, Goolsby is blaming local governments for not ponying up enough money for public education. The only way county and municipal governments could afford to do that is to raise property taxes.

Goolsby is one of the legion of Republican legislators arguing that the GOP budget increased funding for public schools. Unfortunately, their argument flies in the face of local headlines across the state that indicate local school systems are facing steep budget cuts. So Goolsby’s answer is essentially, “Hey, we gave you plenty. If you think you need more go get it from your local government.”

But really, that’s a discussion worth having. And I think we should get some input from some his Republican colleagues. I wonder how they would like to tell their constituents that they need to start paying higher property taxes to fund public schools? And should we give school boards taxing authority like they do in New Jersey and other states? Just think, we could add an additional taxing authority in every county in the state. We could call it the Goolsby tax.

But first, let’s have a history lesson. During the Great Depression, the state of North Carolina took the responsibility for schools to alleviate crushing property taxes and to assure a minimum level of education in every county. And now, the state constitution guarantees children a “sound education” and makes the state responsible for providing it. In essence, we ask everybody in the state to assume responsibility of our kids’ education instead of telling the poorest counties that they’re on their own. It’s a progressive system, so Republicans of the Goolsby ilk hate it.

So what do you say, Sen. Hise? You think the folks in Mitchell County with 12% unemployment ought to get off the government teat and start paying for their own schools? What about you, Sen. Newton? Hell, if Rocky Mounty could get that Electricities thing worked out, folks would have tons of money they could throw into schools. And Sen. Rabon, don’t you think all those retirees in your district want to divert some of their greens fees to public schools?

To folks like Goolsby, public education is just another social program–a burden that takes money out of the pockets of hard working rich people. Even the John Locke Foundation recognizes that North Carolina pays less for education than 80% of the states. But they don’t see that as a problem. The GOP party line seems to be to tell those broke-ass counties out there to pay for their own damn schools.

The responsibility for adequately funding public schools lies with the legislature. Blaming local governments for the short fall is either ignorant or irresponsible. But if Goolsby and his crowd wants to change the funding equation, it will take a constitutional amendment. Until he’s ready to propose that, he needs to own up to his failings instead of trying to pass the buck.

4 Comments

  1. Butch Greene

    Under the North Carolina State Constitution, teachers salaries rest squarely under the state’s financial responsibly NOT THE 100 COUNTIES RESPONSIBLY! Goolsby, if you are READING THIS, TAKE THE TIME AND READ THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONSTITUTION. REMEMBER WHEN YOU PUT YOUR LEFT HAND ON THE BIBLE AND RAISED YOUR RIGHT HAND AND SWORE OR AFFIRMED YOUR COMMITMENT TO UPHOLD THE THE OATH OF OFFICE AND UPHOLD THE NORTH CAROLINA STATE CONSTITUTION AS WELL AS UNITED STATES CONSTITUTION, SO HELP YOU GOD.The 100 counties’ responsibly rest with institutional improvements SUCH AS SCHOOL BUILDINGS AND LAND THEY SIT ON AND MAINTENANCE OF THE SCHOOL AND SCHOOL GROUNDS!
    Take Care.

  2. scott gibbons

    maybe it is time to review the social contract and discuss whether education is a common or individual responsibility

  3. elizabeth woodside

    Goolsby gets his marching orders from Art Pope and ALEC. He doesn’t care about students,. only his campaign financiers.

  4. Carol W. Pelosi

    The spelling for that word is “teat.” Otherwise, I agree with every word you wrote. I am appalled, angered and bumfuzzled by the cuts in education and the plan to make public money available for private schools. But to effect a change we have to throw out those fools in the current General Assembly and elect people who do understand the great need for and the great benefit of a stellar educational system. The first step has to be getting out the vote in the next few years despite the roadblocks the above-named fools have erected.

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