BY REP. TODD CARVER

I haven’t been writing my weekly articles lately because the N.C. House of Representatives has been on break from its normal duties. I will be providing regular updates during the upcoming short session. My goal is to communicate with residents about the activities of the N.C. General Assembly and how they may impact us in Iredell County.

The short legislative session begins Tuesday, April 21. I have been told to expect this session to last until around July 4. The procedure for moving bills at this point is that they should have been passed in the House or Senate during the long session or have a financial component. Very few new bills will be considered given the short duration of this session.

From my point of view, the top priority is the passage of a state budget. As I have said before, we could have had a budget last summer if a majority of the House members had been willing to accept the Senate version of the budget. The House has held out for higher pay raises for teachers and other state employees. Passing the budget is something every member wants to get done, but the devil is always in the details. I can only assure everyone in Iredell that we are advocating for a good budget, not just “a” budget.

The other major item on the agenda will be legislation regarding property tax reform. This is the product of the joint legislative oversight committee’s hearing on property taxes. This group has been exploring a wide range of property tax solutions and alternatives for several months. Property tax reform is an important issue for many North Carolinians who feel they are being priced out of their homes. Home ownership is the American dream. We need to do all we can to protect the American dream for our people.

I have received a great deal of emails from people who do not want to see the property tax rates being set in Raleigh. I agree 100 percent. Tax rates are a local issue and should be set locally. Here are some of the possible solutions I have heard being discussed:

• There could be some caps put in place to prevent dramatic increases, especially in property revaluation years.
• We could make some adjustments to the Homesteaders program which provides tax breaks to seniors based on their income.
• I have also heard talk of adjusting the property tax rate for non-profit hospitals who do not meet a threshold of charitable work in the community.

Not all these ideas are being pursued, but they are being discussed.

The House Select Committee on Property Tax Reform put forth a plan last week to cap property tax increases. This is a question which will be put forth to North Carolina voters this fall. Just like the budget, the devil is in the details. I can only pledge to carefully look at any legislation and see how it would impact the people back home in the 95th House District. I do not want to micromanage the taxation process or decide which services are or are not delivered to your home. I simply want to make sure you aren’t forced to leave because you can’t afford to pay the property taxes on that home.

I will provide more updates as the session moves along. If I can help you or your family, please do not hesitate to reach out.

Rep. Todd Carver represents the 95th District in the N.C. House of Representatives.