Think carefully before changing the North Carolina Constitution

This November, North Carolina voters may see several proposed changes to our state constitution on the ballot.

These could include lowering the state income tax limit, putting limits on local property tax increases, requiring photo ID for mail-in ballots, and possibly adding protections for “right to work” and “right to farm” laws.

Many people may agree with the ideas behind some of these proposals. Lower taxes sound good to families who are already paying more for groceries, gas, insurance, and housing.

Property tax increases can be hard on seniors, working families, and people living on fixed incomes. Requiring voter ID for mail-in ballots may also seem fair if photo ID is already required for in-person voting.

But before I cast my vote, and before Burke County residents cast theirs, I believe we should ask one simple question: Does this issue really belong in the state constitution?

A constitution is not the same thing as a regular law. Regular laws can be changed by the General Assembly when circumstances change. A constitution is much harder to change.

It is supposed to protect the most important rights and principles that guide our state for many years to come.

That is why I believe we should be careful about what we put into it. When something is added to the constitution, we are saying it is so important that future lawmakers should have a much harder time changing it.

Sometimes that makes sense. Other times, in my view, it may go too far.

I say this not just as a voter, but as someone who once took an oath of office as a Burke County commissioner. That oath required me to uphold the Constitution of North Carolina.

Taking that oath made it clear to me that our constitution is not something to treat lightly or change without careful thought.

When I read the preamble to the North Carolina Constitution, I am reminded why that document exists in the first place.

It speaks of protecting our civil, political, and religious liberties, securing those blessings for future generations, and providing better government for our state.

In plain terms, I believe our constitution is meant to protect our freedoms, guide our government, and serve the people — not to be used lightly or changed for short-term political purposes.

For example, I can understand why setting a limit on how high the state income tax can go may be viewed as the kind of big-picture issue that belongs in the constitution.

It deals with how much power the government should have to take money from taxpayers. I believe that is a serious question, and voters should think about it carefully.

Other proposals, in my opinion, may not be as urgent. North Carolina already has right-to-work laws and right-to-farm laws. They have been around for many years. If those laws are not in real danger of being removed, I believe voters should ask why they need to be added to the constitution now.

The property tax amendment may be the one that deserves the closest look from local residents. Property taxes help pay for important county services, including schools, law enforcement, emergency services, and other local needs.

Nobody wants taxes to rise too much, but voters should know exactly how a proposed limit would work before putting it into the constitution.

At this point, I am not in favor of a property tax amendment because there are still too many unanswered questions about how it would actually serve the citizens of Burke County and communities across North Carolina.

That is especially important for counties like Burke. Local governments have to balance keeping taxes affordable with paying for the services residents depend on.

Having worked through county budgets, I know those decisions are never as simple as saying “cut taxes” without also asking what services, needs, or responsibilities may be affected.

Valdese is a good local reminder of that point. After its tax rate was reduced by more than 10 cents over a short period, town leaders later had to confront budget pressure, proposed program cuts, fee increases, reduced work-hour plans, and other difficult choices to close a deficit while still trying to maintain services.

If the state constitution orders limits without clear details, local taxpayers and county leaders may be left dealing with problems later.

Before voters are asked to put such a limit in the constitution, they deserve clear answers about what services could be affected, who would make up any lost revenue, and whether the amendment would help citizens or create new problems for them.

I am not saying voters should automatically oppose every amendment. I am saying we should slow down, study each one on its own, and ask a better question: Is this idea important enough, clear enough, and lasting enough to be written into the constitution?

Burke County residents deserve clear information before making decisions that could affect our state for generations. As someone who has sworn to uphold the North Carolina Constitution, I believe we should remember its purpose: to protect our liberties, secure those blessings for our children and grandchildren, and support better government for our state.

That kind of document should not be changed because an idea sounds good on a campaign sign. It should be changed only when the issue is truly necessary, and the consequences are clearly understood.