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House Wants To End Earned Income Tax Credit

North Carolina House of Representatives, North Carolina General Assembly
www.ncleg.net

State lawmakers have tentatively approved a measure that would end a popular tax credit for low and middle-income residents.  House legislators passed the bill 75 to 41 yesterday.

It would allow the state's earned income tax credit to expire after this year as scheduled. Most low and middle-income families who qualify don't receive the maximum rebate of $294. But it's a popular policy, especially among families whose meager paychecks make it a struggle to save money.

Republican leaders say the bill is part of a larger effort to reduce state spending. But Democrats say the measure is part of a war on the poor. House Minority Leader Larry Hall says there's no reason to make this change now, as Republican leaders are mulling over ideas for revamping the entire tax code. The bill is expected to be back on the House floor today for final consideration.
 

Jessica Jones covers both the legislature in Raleigh and politics across the state. Before her current assignment, Jessica was given the responsibility to open up WUNC's first Greensboro Bureau at the Triad Stage in 2009. She's a seasoned public radio reporter who's covered everything from education to immigration, and she's a regular contributor to NPR's news programs. Jessica started her career in journalism in Egypt, where she freelanced for international print and radio outlets. After stints in Washington, D.C. with Voice of America and NPR, Jessica joined the staff of WUNC in 1999. She is a graduate of Yale University.
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