Mecklenburg Leaders Say More Cuts Likely

Mecklenburg county leaders may have to make major cutbacks in personnel and services because of the new state budget that lawmakers approved Wednesday and sent to Governor Bev Perdue's desk.

Perdue said she will sign the budget which includes tax hikes of almost one billion dollars primarily through a one-cent increase in the state sales tax. The weak economy also forced lawmakers to reduce spending.

Charlotte-Mecklenburg Schools administrators met Wednesday to discuss the budget's possible impact on the school system which has already experienced millions of dollars in previous cuts. CMS was expected to lay out its plans Thursday morning.

Mecklenburg county commisison chairman Jennifer Roberts told Channel 9 Eyewitness News on Wednesday that cuts will also hit the sheriff's office and the mental health department.

Roberts said she wished lawmakers had considered tax reform instead of tax hikes. Roberts also suggested extending the state sales tax to services which are not currently taxed, such as certain internet sites.