Published Date: 3.5.26
Last Updated: 4.10.26
The PEOPLE-Powered Plan
for North Carolina
Created by Jen Wiles for NC House and enhanced and adopted by Andy Bowline for NC Senate
A fair economy that works for working families
North Carolina is one of the fastest growing states in the country, yet too many families are struggling to keep up with rising costs while public services fall behind.
Working people pay taxes.
Small businesses work hard to stay afloat.
But large corporations and the wealthiest households often pay less than their fair share.
The People-Powered Plan creates a fairer tax system and invests in the foundations of a strong economy: schools, healthcare, housing, and living wages.
This plan lowers taxes for working families, protects small businesses, and ensures that the wealthiest corporations contribute fairly to the infrastructure they use so North Carolina can invest in the future.
Fix the Tax System
Cut taxes for working families
The plan eliminates state income tax on the first $100,000 of income, meaning most working families would pay zero state income tax.
This allows families to keep more of their earnings while still funding essential public services.
Protect small businesses
Under this plan:
No corporate tax would apply to the first $500,000 of business profit.
This protects small and locally owned businesses while ensuring that the most profitable corporations contribute fairly.
Fair progressive tax rates
After the first $100,000 of income, taxes would be structured progressively.
Low and moderate-income households continue paying relatively low rates, while higher marginal tax rates begin above $200,000.
The wealthiest individuals and the largest corporations would pay a larger share, reflecting their greater ability to contribute to the public systems that support economic growth.
Make the tax system fairer
North Carolina’s tax system currently taxes goods heavily while many services go untaxed, despite services representing a growing share of the modern economy.
This plan modernizes the sales tax by applying it to professional and luxury services, ensuring the tax system treats goods and services more fairly. Healthcare, childcare, personal care, residential repairs, and basic home services would be exempt.
It also closes special tax loopholes that benefit the largest corporations, including:
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Ending sales tax exemptions for large data centers and adding charges and fees correlated with their high utility use and impact.
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Reviewing and eliminating ineffective corporate tax incentive programs
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Ensuring very large corporations contribute fairly through a corporate minimum tax, so they cannot avoid taxes through special carve-outs
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Increase in taxes on high capital gains, real estate transfers, and corporate-held vacant land to ensure that private equity isn't creating higher cost for everyone else.
Revenue generated
These reforms generate approximately $44-48 billion in annual state revenue,
about $9-13 billion more than the current budget.
Invest in North Carolina
Fully fund public schools
The plan increases public education funding to $20,000 per student, allowing North Carolina to strengthen schools, support teachers, and ensure students have access to the resources they need to succeed.
Ending the private voucher system and instead making public dollars for public use will add $6.5 billion in revenue through 2033.
Strong public schools are the foundation of a strong economy.
Estimated additional investment: ~$11 billion annually
Universal Pre-K for every 4-year-old
High-quality early childhood education provides lifelong benefits for children.
This plan guarantees universal Pre-K for every four-year-old, giving every child an equitable start and helping families afford early education.
Estimated cost: ~$1.5 billion annually
Public dollars should serve the public
Taxpayer money should support public institutions that serve all families.
This plan ends taxpayer funding for private school voucher programs and reinvests those funds into public education.
Expand healthcare access
Healthcare access is essential to healthy communities and a strong workforce.
This plan supports expanded Medicaid coverage and strengthens rural hospitals so families across the state can receive care when they need it.
Estimated additional investment: ~$1-2 billion annually
End the Innovations Waiver waitlist
More than 20,000 North Carolinians with disabilities are currently waiting for services through the Innovations Waiver program.
This plan commits to eliminating the waitlist so people with disabilities can receive the services they need to live with dignity in their communities.
Estimated investment: ~$1.5 billion initially to clear the waitlist
Raise the minimum wage
No one working full-time should live in poverty.
The People-Powered Plan raises the minimum wage to at least $15 per hour, ensuring work provides economic stability for families and helping local economies grow. The minimum wage should also be tethered to inflation, with automatic increases as prices go up. We should never go over 15 years without an increase in the minimum wage again.
Homes Should Be for People, Not Profits
Right of first refusal
Tenants and community housing organizations should have the opportunity to purchase buildings before they are sold to large investors.
Expand community land trusts
Community land trusts help create permanently affordable housing by keeping land in community ownership while allowing families to build equity in their homes.
Use public land for housing
Public land can be used to support housing development that serves families instead of speculative investment.
Allow more housing options
State policy can allow duplexes and accessory dwelling units (ADUs), helping increase housing supply and create more affordable options for families.
Limit large corporate ownership of homes
Large institutional investors purchasing large numbers of single-family homes can drive up prices and limit opportunities for families.
Policies can limit excessive corporate ownership to help keep homes accessible to residents.
Implementation Timeline
Year 1–2
Immediate tax relief for working families and small businesses
Major school funding increases
Pre-K expansion begins
Innovation Waiver waitlist begins shrinking
Increased Medicaid and support to rural hospitals
Minimum wage increases to $15 per hour.
Immediate change in housing policy
Year 3
Schools reach full $20k per student funding
Universal Pre-K fully implemented
Innovation Waiver waitlist eliminated
Year 4 and beyond
Programs stabilize and revenue growth allows consideration of additional investments such as:
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childcare affordability
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community college access
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workforce training programs
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housing development
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infrastructure improvements
A State the Works for Working Families
The People-Powered Plan builds a stronger future for North Carolina by lowering taxes for working families, protecting small businesses, and asking the wealthiest corporations and households to pay their fair share. By investing in public schools, healthcare access, disability services, living wages, and housing stability, this plan strengthens the foundations of our economy and our communities. These investments also support long-term economic growth by creating a healthier, better educated workforce and stronger local economies where businesses can thrive. As these investments stabilize and the economy grows, North Carolina will also have the opportunity to expand support for priorities like affordable childcare, workforce training, housing development, and infrastructure. Together, these policies create a people-powered economy where opportunity is shared, communities thrive, and prosperity is built for everyone—not just the few.