NC Senate leader pointing to higher ‘sin taxes’

    RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - North Carolina Senate leader Marc Basnight says closing tax loopholes and raising cigarette and alcohol taxes could help close any budget gap for next year.
    The Dare County Democrat told reporters Thursday that lawmakers arriving next week for the start of the General Assembly also will try to cut waste and duplication in state services.
    The difference between projected revenues and expenses could reach $3 billion as budget writers put together a spending plan for next year.
    Basnight has backed raising alcohol and cigarette taxes in the past. The Legislature was cool to such an idea last year when then-Gov. Mike Easley proposed raising them.
    Basnight declined to say which loopholes could closed, but said he doesn’t expect other tax increases to be considered.