House Speaker Thom Tillis (R-Mecklenburg) released the following statement today regarding a potential debate with Governor Bev Perdue & Senate President Pro-Tem Phil Berger:

“I would be more than happy to join Sen. Berger in a public debate with Governor Perdue over her proposal to raise the sales tax, which would take more than $800 million out of the pockets of North Carolinians.  Governor Perdue believes that government should demand that our citizens pay more for basic necessities instead of demanding more efficiency out of government.  Sen. Berger and I believe that there is room to improve the core functions of government without punishing every North Carolinian, and we passed a budget that reflected that belief.  The Governor has a very different vision of the role of government than do Sen. Berger and I, and the citizens of this state deserve an opportunity to clearly see the difference.  I look forward to the opportunity to put those differences on display.”