May 16 2008
Legislators Look to Repeal Land Transfer Tax
DURHAM — A coalition of Republicans and conservative Democrats is mounting an attempt in the General Assembly to repeal legislation that authorizes county governments to levy local-option transfer taxes on the sale of land.
Transfer tax initiatives have been on North Carolina ballots 20 times — in 19 counties in all, twice in Gates County — since the original law took effect. It’s been defeated every time.
In the N.C. House a group led by state Rep. Pryor Gibson, D-Anson, is spearheading the repeal movement. GOP leaders are also backing the idea.
I am opposed to the tax, but taking time in the General Assembly to try and repeal the option of using it is probably not the best use of their time. As pointed out, it’s not passing anyway so is there really a need to repeal the option? If there are county commissions that continue to bring it to the ballot year after year until they get it to pass then really it is up to the residents of that county to replace those commissioners at election time.