As North Carolina begins early voting for the midterm elections, Education Justice Alliance wants to shed light on the truth behind two proposed changes to our state’s constitution. These amendments, which are on the ballot, are supported by politicians who want to make things easier for their billionaire buddies, not the working families that keep this state going.

 At a time when our state refuses to provide the proper funding for our public schools to prosper, we are being asked to consider withholding even more money from all public services, which includes public schools, as well as emergency services, clean water, and so much more. 

One amendment would permanently lower the maximum state income tax rate, making it harder to ask rich people and wealthy corporations to contribute more in the future. The other amendment would limit how much local property tax revenue can grow, reducing resources to vital public services, like public schools.

Education Justice Alliance is explicitly against these two tax amendments. We believe every family and community in our state should have the opportunity to thrive, but that opportunity will dwindle or disappear if these amendments are passed. 

We understand how easy it is to see the words “lower state income tax” and “limit property tax” and think it’s a pathway to financial relief, especially when prices and access to basic needs are out of reach for so many families. But those words were intentionally selected by lawmakers who are banking on us to make short-sighted decisions based on the current inflated environment. 

We must not be distracted by the words. We have to be rooted, together, in the understanding that the long-term outcome of these tax amendments will not be beneficial for us or  our children.

By coming together, we can protect our public schools, make the wealthiest households and corporations pay what they owe, and make all of our voices heard.