NC Senate considering sales tax changes

RALEIGH, N.C. — (AP) Some senators want to give more choices to most North Carolina counties in how they can generate extra revenues through local sales taxes, while scaling back authority for some of the state's largest counties.

The Senate scheduled debate and a vote Wednesday on a measure that would place a cap on what counties can levy in local sales taxes. The bill limits the combined state and local sales tax to 7.25 percent in all but two of the 100 counties.

Bill supporters say the measure provides more options in how to raise taxes and their proceeds. Critics point out four large counties that could now raise their combined sales tax to 7.5 percent couldn't do so in the proposal. Mecklenburg County's scheduled voter referendum for November also would be canceled.

WSOC