Republicans advance pair of constitutional amendments as session winds down

On Monday, Senate Republicans approved measures calling for a photo ID requirement for all forms of voting and capping state income tax rates at 5%.

North Carolina Senate leader Phil Berger, a Republican who represents Guilford and Rockingham counties, attends a legislative session on Thursday, Feb. 9, 2023.

On Monday, the North Carolina Senate wrapped up its planned votes for the year.

In addition to overriding a veto that stands to strip away power from incoming Democrats and a separate resolution adding North Carolina onto a list of states calling for a constitutional convention to establish congressional term limits, the Senate also approved two constitutional amendments. Here’s what they’d do:

• Senate Bill 920: Caps the maximum personal income tax rate at 5%. The rate is already at 4.5%, will be at 4.25% in 2025 and 3.99% or lower thereafter.

• Senate Bill 921: Requires photo ID for all voters, not just in-person voters. Doesn’t change exceptions to the law already afforded to voters.

Both measures passed in party-line votes, with Sen. Rachel Hunt being the lone absent member.

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