Kelly McCullen

Executive Producer & Host of "State Lines" on PBS North Carolina. When it works, I bring people together. Let me know what you think.

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

If NC voters cap income tax rates at 3.49% max, and then the state needs funding, more and more people says other sales taxes and fees could be approved. @Bode4Senate says alternative taxes can work, at times, but "working families" feel the sting the most. #ncpol #Statelines

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

As @SenatorBerger leads one last budget negotiation in the @MyNCSenate w/ the @NCHouseGOP, what will change about the push for gradual tax cuts in NC budgets? @PatRyanNC, who worked for Berger, says this on State Lines. #ncpol #Statelines

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

@NC_Governor calls @NCGOP's income tax cap referendum a "con job" where taxpayers may get an income tax break, but see state fees & sales taxes go higher. Former NC Senator Jim Perry takes issue w/ Gov. Stein's assertion in this clip from @mypbsnc's State Lines. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

If NC Lawmakers approve a budget, are you calling teacher, law enforcement and state worker salary increases a "raise" or a "cost of living adjustment" to partially offset inflation? @PatRyanNC says the budget framework's percentages don't lie on pay increases...it's measurable. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

Some states have no income tax. You can argue they have robust tourism industries where visitors boost revenue via sales taxes. @PatRyanNC says NC tax policy focuses on recruiting full-time residents & having them move here, then pay a low income tax rate. #ncpol #Statelines @My@MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

What should NC budget writers do with upwards of $2.6 billion dollars in unexpected revenue as collections exceed their estimates? Strategist @morganjacksonnc says job creators aren't primarily worried about continuing to cut already low tax rates...from State Lines. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

NC's Board of Elections will hear public remarks on a change to how flawed ballots can be disqualified. Currently, a local board of election must vote unanimously. The proposal would require a simple majority of that local board. Here's @Bode4Senate's take from State Lines. #ncpol.

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

NC's revenue forecasts have been "wrong," says former NC Senator Jim Perry as NC voters decide if capping income taxes will prove @SenatorBerger correct that lower taxes fuels growth, which boosts state tax revenues. From State Lines. #ncpol @MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

@PatRyanNC & @Bode4Senate debate income NC income tax cuts vs the rising costs of running state gov't that now includes a rising Medicaid funding need. Is the state of NC spending enough to support those "things" that even Conservative voters want funded. Listen here. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

@NCGOP leaders say a big budget bill is coming soon, but Democratic strategist @morganjacksonnc says we all need to see the details of any budget bill...and a budget framework announcement, while nice, "ain't" a budget. From State Lines. #ncpol @MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

Former NC Senator @Bode4Senate calls out current @NCGOP leadership over not passing a final budget, saying state employees, law enforcement & teachers are showing up for work, so why can't legislators get it done? #ncpol This is from State Lines on @MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

We hit the TV airwaves on PBS NC at 8:30pm but we're also on YouTube whenever you like. Search "PBSNC State Lines" - it will get you close. #ncpol

[Andrea Corona @dreakcorona]

This week on State Lines @PatRyanNC @Bode4Senate, Jim Perry & @morganjacksonnc discuss the 2026 legislative session, income tax caps, state revenue predictions, voter ID and more!

Watch now: https://t.co/hKT0HpKAwb

#ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

Democratic Strategists & @NC_Governor advisor @morganjacksonnc explains why @NCGOP plans for a statewide vote to cap NC's income tax is a "Con Job" on voters who may approve it. #ncpol From @mypbsnc's State Lines

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

The two-year (or is it 3?) NC budget stalemate has thawed a bit this Spring. That said, changes coming to NC Senate leadership...and did the Primary election outcome cause the "thaw?" Here's former NC Senator Jim Perry on State Lines. #ncpol #StateLines @MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

Democratic strategist @SFalmlen explains his position that @NCGOP leaders, in pushing tax cap amendments, are making schools worse & pushing off legislative duties to voters that they could take action on. Agree or Disagree? #ncpol #statelines @MyPBSNC

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

New NC revenue forecasts exceed budget analysts' forecasts by over $1 billion the next two years. Well, it gives fuel to @MyNCSenate's long running claim their tax cutting = revenue growth (15 years & counting). @Capcomminc says tax caps are the next logical step..from State Lines #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

NC's tax debate is a deep conversation. Are state & local govt's poised to be financially starved by tax cap? Why should local & state govts expect to grow revenue & spending each year (when families can't)? @dawnbvaughan of @newsobserver lays this out for us on State Lines. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

NC political "tradition" is the lawmakers in one era in time don't/can't make budget decisions that "encumber" or burden future legislative budget efforts. But, if constitutional amendments cap both property and income tax rates, does that violate that? Here's @SFalmlen on State Lines. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

@ArcturusM8 Democrats are saying that property taxes caps can be lowered using a bill through the legislative process, via law and not a full amendment process. A policy change can reverse a law. A statewide vote would be needed to repeal an amendment

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

NC property taxes can be limited, by NC lawmakers, by regular legislation. @NCGOP leaders want voters to pass a state constitutional amendment directing them to do so. That's why strategist @SFalmlen is calling it a "farce" as a proposal. Hear why from State Lines. #ncpol

[Kelly McCullen @kellymccullen]

@bruce1105nc @NCGOP @SFalmlen Yes on changing law. A statewide vote would be required to repeal an amendment. Much much tougher standard