They say death and taxes are the only sure things in life, and though my journalism professors all told me not to start my articles with a cliché, I feel it’s relevant here.
In Charlotte, our city manager recently presented a proposed budget that would include a $1.89 property tax increase, which would be put solely toward public safety initiatives like pay raises for police and violence-interruption initiatives.
I’m a relatively new homeowner (as of June 2025), so this affects me. I’ve never been against paying my share if I feel like it’s going toward something productive (paying federal taxes this year was rough, but I digress), so this didn’t raise a huge red flag for me even if some of the implementation is debatable.
Read More: Rising costs pummel North Carolinians, new report shows
However, the NCGA has decided they are not having it. Last week, the NC Senate quickly pushed through a new bill that would halt property tax increases caused by reappraisals in Davidson, Guilford, Bladen, Buncombe, Harnett, Onslow, Pender and Scotland counties.
It won’t affect Charlotte, as the recent proposal wasn’t based on property appraisals, but it’s an interesting development in a “Dillon’s Rule” state, as the NCGA continues to hoard power it didn’t have before.
The House is expected to vote on Senate Bill 889 this week. In the meantime, let’s take a look at some other tax-related legislation that’s been introduced in North Carolina. It may not have as good a chance at passing, but it’s worth the conversation regardless.
Advocates call on NC millionaires to pay their Fair Share
Lawmakers, educators, and a North Carolina resident billing herself as a “patriotic millionaire” held a press conference at the Capitol this morning to introduce the Fair Share for Public Schools Act (HB 1073/SB 1016).
It would establish a 7% income tax rate on income exceeding $1 million (the current rate for the rest of us is at 4.25%), generating nearly $1 billion annually for public education in North Carolina.
NC Rep. Allen Buansi, who is sponsoring the bill, was scheduled to join Monica Lavery of Patriotic Millionaires and Alexandra Sirota with NC Budget & Tax Center (NCBTC) to highlight the growing tradeoff between continued tax cuts that overwhelmingly benefit the wealthiest households in North Carolina and investments in public schools, workforce development, and long-term economic growth, according to a release from the NCBTC.
“NC tax policies have directed billions of dollars in tax breaks to the wealthiest households, while public schools across the state face ongoing resource gaps affecting teachers, staff, and students,” the release read.
“The Fair Share for Public Schools Act offers a targeted solution: It applies only to income above $1 million and would still leave the wealthiest households with significant tax cuts compared to pre-2013 tax levels.”
National summit centers girls of color
Grantmakers for Girls of Color (G4GC) will host its 2026 National Convening in Charlotte this week, running from May 12-15. The conference will bring together philanthropic leaders, movement builders, artists, and youth advocates from across the country, all of whom are focused on expanding opportunities and resources for girls and gender-expansive youth of color.
The G4GC Convening will feature speakers like Tarana Burke, founder of ‘me too;’ and Dominique Thorne, known for playing Ironheart in Black Panther: Wakanda Forever.
“This is a key moment for Charlotte, as the city hosts a national gathering focused on the future of racial justice, youth leadership, and philanthropic accountability featuring Charlotte grantees such as Black Girls Film Camp and The Breathe Collective,” read a release announcing the conference.
PBS NC explores legacy of photographer who changed the face of the state
A new PBS North Carolina documentary titled A Life Reimagined: The George Masa Story premieres on Tuesday, exploring the legacy of Japanese photographer George Masa, whose early-20th-century photos of western North Carolina helped inspire the creation of Great Smoky Mountains National Park.
Told through decades of journals, letters, and newly uncovered research, the film offers a complete portrait of Masa from his early life in Japan, his time in North Carolina, and the challenges he faced.
“I find Masa’s story, his personal and artistic journey, completely fascinating,” said Emmy Award-winning filmmaker Paul Bonesteel. “The effort to uncover the details and nuances of his life from more than 100 years ago enters a deeply personal historical space that shapes how archival research and storytelling unfold.”
Catch the television premiere on PBS NC on Tuesday, May 12 at 9 p.m. or stream the film here. And if you’re looking for relevant literary recommendations, I suggest you check out Wayne Caldwell’s Cataloochee, which tells of life in the area where the park was eventually founded just as the plans were being formulated.
