This November, Choose Principled Policy Over Politics

Oct 24, 2018 by AFP

Come November, North Carolinians will vote on two ballot initiatives that will shape our state’s future. The Judicial Selection Amendment and the Income Tax Cap Amendment will affect each and every North Carolinian, which is why we must be armed with the information to make the right choices.

Americans for Prosperity puts principled policy over politics. That’s why we are urging North Carolinians to oppose the Judicial Selection Amendment and support the Income Tax Cap Amendment. November 6 is coming up fast, so read on below to get the facts about these two ballot measures.

The Judicial Selection Amendment

Today, North Carolinians have the right to choose their state’s appeals, superior and district court judges. If the Judicial Selection Amendment passes, that right will be weakened. This amendment would change our existing system and add additional barriers, complicating our courts beyond measure. If passed, it would create an unelected and unaccountable commission and charge it with picking the state’s judges during interim vacancies.

The commission would send its list of judges to the legislature, which would then select two judges. The governor would then choose one of those. If the governor refuses to choose, the legislature picks the judge.

Under this amendment, the commission has all the power. If the judge is unqualified, the governor and the legislature can both blame the commission, which cannot be held accountable by voters.

Worse, the commission itself could be vulnerable to the influence of partisan considerations, interest groups or a particularly stifling form of groupthink — all of which have the potential to put the state constitution second.

The amendment is so unpopular, in fact, that five North Carolina ex-governors are campaigning against it.

The Income Tax Cap Amendment

This amendment to the state constitution does exactly what it says it will do: It caps North Carolina’s income tax, limiting it to 7 percent.

What this means is that North Carolinians will be able to keep more of their hard-earned money. It also ensures that politicians will have to find other ways to control spending, rather than simply raising taxes when they don’t budget appropriately.

North Carolina’s economy has improved steadily over the last few years. The Income Tax Cap Amendment would go a long way in keeping the state moving in the right direction. After all, job creators are choosing North Carolina to set up their businesses.

Let’s choose principled policy over politics.

Click on these links (here and here) to learn more about these two amendments on the ballot this November.

Paid for by Americans for Prosperity. Not authorized by any referendum committees.