Democratic gov. nominee Josh Stein seeks to reinstate tax-free weekend in North Carolina

RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — There’s a new push to reinstate a tax-free holiday weekend in North Carolina.

North Carolina Attorney General and Democratic gubernatorial nominee Josh Stein’s “Ready. Set. Save!” back-to-school plan would reinstate an August sales tax holiday weekend. The holiday ended in 2013 after nearly a decade as part of state tax reform.

Stein said under his leadership he would provide teachers with a stipend to help cover the out-of-pocket costs of school supplies. A Couponbirds.com survey shows the average North Carolina teacher spends around $1,300 of their own money on school supplies, making the state the fourth highest in the nation for such expenses.

The “Ready. Set. Save!” back-to-school plan would also invest in free school meals to ensure kids have the food they need to be ready to learn.

On Wednesday, Stein will be in Wayne County at Wilbers BBQ on US-70 in Goldsboro to share his plan and hear from parents and teachers. He will also visit Charlotte, Greenville, Goldsboro, and Leland.

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