One of the things that should be considered by rural legislators debating Leandro is that their counties are by and large pretty tapped out locally. Property taxes in rural counties are at a post-2003 high since 2014. The help their schools need has to come from the state. #ncpol In 25 counties (18 rural), the 2013-2018 income tax cut was actually completely offset by increases in local taxes. That's *without* including statewide base-broadening sales tax hikes, which at $50-$70 per household would add another 2-7 counties . #ncpol

If you want to understand what's been happening with public school funding in NC, this is a good place to start. Combine state & federal funding, and separate expenditures on employee benefits. Everything else is lower every year since 2012 than any since at least 2004. #ncpol Why combine state and federally funded spending? These numbers from the Statistical Profile aren't inflation-adjusted but show Obama-era stimulus plugged a revenue hole in 2010-2012. NCGA often implies 2011 was past norm but inflation-adj state $$ was down ~5% from *2004*. #ncpol