Pirate's Cove

Seriously, why is it that everytime something goes wrong, or is perceived to be wrong, the usual suspects ask for more taxes? Witness this op-ed by Stan Norwalk, who is vice-chairman of WakeUP Wake County, a group whose sole purpose seems to be to find new ways to tax Wake Country residents for some sort of planned growth.

CARY – Wake County public schools are in an incredible mess. Following Judge Howard Manning’s decision, the focus is on the school board for a solution. No one who has observed the history of the last 15 years could believe the school board is primarily responsible or can devise a lasting solution.

Over and over, voters have voted against those who increased property taxes. The voters have been egged on by a constant drumbeat from anti-government organizations. "Taxes are bad. Big government can’t be trusted. Big schools are worst of all."

Over the years, Wake’s county commissioners have encouraged growth but failed to pay for it. Property taxes have not kept up with growth plus construction inflation. Wake’s tax rate is the lowest of any urbanized county in the state. County commissioners have not sought maximum efficiencies in the $500 million nonschool operating budget they control. Ditto for the almost $1 billion in the capital improvement plan for nonschool construction.

Does anyone see the foolishness? First, hintimating that those who want to keep as much of the money they earn are dupes of some nefarious anti-government groups, who probably own black helicopters. Second, that the Wake County School Board is not competent enough to fix the issues with supposed overcrowding in the schools, yet, we should give them a ton of money to fix the problem.

And, as far as the tax rate being lowest in the urbanized areas in NC…….GREAT!!!!!!!!! What the heck is the problem with that?

Now, Mr. Norwalk has 7 steps to fix the issue. Let’s take a brief look, shall we?

1. County commissioners should lobby the legislature for another source of funds in addition to the property tax. A statewide, local option 1 percent transfer tax, earmarked for schools and other vital infrastructure, would make a big dent in relieving overcrowded schools.
2. Plan B is a 20-cent increase (per $100 of assessed valuation) in property taxes.
3. The school board should actively lobby the legislature, alongside the county commissioners and the business community, for a transfer tax.
4. The legislature should show leadership by passing a transfer tax. The state should require that any county so empowered must support the operation of schools at a level equal to the average of the state’s counties (read: well above Wake’s level).
5. The legislature should clarify accountability and allow more effective financial decisions for education by passing HB 1740. This bill allows for school boards to set local property tax rates. Eighty percent of the nation’s school boards currently have that authority.
6. Finally, county commissioners should call an emergency meeting of all municipal leaders and jointly explore the savings that could be achieved by consolidation of services in Wake County. They should also explore the feasibility of a countywide school impact fee — and jointly slowing growth if all else fails.

Now, I have only excerpted 6 of the 7, as one was not about taxing people. Four were about transfer taxes, which force a home owner to pay for yes, selling his/her home. You can learn quite a bit more at It’s A Bad Idea.

And number 5? Let me replay Mr. Norwalk’s words: "No one who has observed the history of the last 15 years could believe the school board is primarily responsible or can devise a lasting solution." Yet, he wants to give the WCSB the power to set people’s property taxes? I wish I could tell you it is a joke, but it isn’t.

Here’s an idea that has yet to be tried: why not demand that the WCSB uses the People’s money, taken at gun-point, in a responsible fashion, rather then demanding that even more money be taken? Everyone laughs at the $600 toilet seats, yet, never demands that government reform its ways. Stop silly spending on non-essentials, do not overspend on necessities, and, another novel idea, stop educating the children of migrant workers and illegal aliens. They are not citizens, and have no Right to an education.

Now, WakeUP Wake County may think that the transfer tax is gaining traction in government, but, 81% of North Carolinians are against them. Liberals are always calling for direct democracy, so, why not listen to the people?