NC budget to increase taxes, decrease services

NORTH CAROLINA: Budget plan shows increase in taxes, decrease in services

State residents will pay more to run their state government but get fewer services in return under the $19 billion budget lawmakers tentatively approved Tuesday.

Residents who earn more than $60,000 a year will pay more in income taxes and everyone will pay more in sales taxes. The excise taxes on alcohol and tobacco products also will rise, and retailers will now be required to collect sales taxes on certain purchases made over the Internet.

Public schools, state universities, and health and transportation programs will also see budget cuts.

Also in the South:

ALABAMA: Largest local government bankruptcy is in Jefferson County with 25% of workforce laid off

ARKANSAS: Combined health-reform effort announced for Arkansas

FLORIDA: Lobbyists want state ban on gifts to lawmakers overturned

GEORGIA: Hotter summers predicted for Georgia

KENTUCKY: Rand Paul enters race for Kentucky senate seat

LOUISIANA: Eat Local Louisiana Challenge launched

MISSISSIPPI: Gov. Barbour says tax revenue down in July

SOUTH CAROLINA: Sales tax holiday set for this weekend

TENNESSEE: State has a high rate of repeat DUIs

VIRGINIA: Candidates for governor continue to debate stimulus funding

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