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Aerial video along the Swannanoa River reveals the wrath of Tropical Storm HeleneAerial video along the Swannanoa River between Black Mountain and Asheville reveals the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene.Buncombe County’s proposed budget for fiscal year 2026 includes a 3.26-cent property tax increase to offset revenue shortfalls in the aftermath of Tropical Storm Helene.The budget prioritizes essential services, including $122 million for education, though still short requests from Asheville City Schools and Buncombe County Schools.ASHEVILLE – Described as a “break-even budget” focused on essential government services and recovery in the...

'The governor has not yet come forward with any specific answers,' House Speaker Perez said. 'If the House wanted to get this done, they would have,' a DeSantis spokesman shot back.House Speaker Danny Perez delivers a stunning rebuke to DeSantisThe Florida Legislature nixed the governor's special session and created their own, solely focused on immigration.Florida House Speaker Daniel Perez announced a select committee to review property tax cut proposals.The move follows disagreements with Governor DeSantis on property tax cuts and other issues.The committee will consider various options, including raising homestead...

Joshua Fechter and Jasper Scherer, The Texas Tribune  |  Wichita Falls Times Record NewsProperty tax cuts aren’t free. In fact, they’re costing Texas a fortune.The Texas House is considering a budget that would shell out $51 billion — 15% of the state's total two-year spending plan — to maintain and provide new property tax cuts. That number, more than the state allocates to transportation or higher education, is making even some Republicans nervous about the state’s ability to afford the tax relief if there’s an economic downturn.If it were its...

Indiana Gov. Mike Braun speaks during rally for property tax reform at Indiana StatehouseIndiana Gov. Mike Braun speaks during a rally for property tax reform Monday, March 17, 2025, at the Indiana Statehouse.(Correction: This story was updated to reflect that the 10% property tax credit is off of a homeowner's bill, not their assessed value.)The Indiana House on Thursday passed its version of the signature property tax relief bill that has grown to also include reforms of local government finance.  The complex tax proposal in Senate Bill 1, which passed the...

Macron's comments are seen as an attempt to dissuade French tycoons from cozying up to Trump, potentially to try to cut private deals, outside regular EU trade policy. Earlier this month Trump announced that French shipping giant CMA CGM intended to invest €20 billion in the U.S. In January, meanwhile, Bernard Arnault, the head of luxury goods giant LVMH, said he was considering increasing investment in the U.S. and lauded Trump's economic policy. On Wednesday the Trump administration slapped the EU with 20 percent tariffs on all exports to the...

DeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and supports open carryDeSantis wants repeal of red flag laws and other restrictions on Second Amendment RightsFlorida Governor Ron DeSantis has proposed a plan to eliminate the state's portion of property taxes for homeowners.DeSantis argues that tourists and non-residents should bear a larger share of the tax burden.The Florida Legislature is currently in session and must reach an agreement on the state budget before adjourning on May 2.Could Florida property taxes be a thing of the past soon? Gov. Ron DeSantis thinks so.At...

Howard Schneider  |  ReutersInterest rate decision looms as Fed discusses tariffs and trade war impactsWith rising tariffs looming, experts warn of increased consumer prices as the Federal Reserve convenes to address economic implications. (Scripps News)Scripps NewsTumbling stock markets and signs of tightening credit may make the Federal Reserve's job even more difficult this week as U.S. central bank policymakers try to weigh whether consumer spending will suffer as households take stock of the potential blow to their net worth and greater difficulty in obtaining loans.U.S. retail sales for February, reported on Monday in the...

He touched on an array of previous legislative victories, careful to note the GOP-led Legislature’s role.Floridians will eventually see lower property taxes, business tax cuts, budget cuts and new restrictions on petitions for constitutional amendments – if lawmakers follow Gov. Ron DeSantis’ agenda for the legislative session.DeSantis laid out his proposals in a 30-minute State of the State speech to the Legislature on Tuesday, the first day of the 60-day regular legislative session.He touched on an array of previous legislative victories, careful to note the GOP-led Legislature’s role. DeSantis enters...