McCrory prefers more moderate reform plans

Gov. Pat McCrory says he prefers the two tax reform plans introduced Thursday that do not tax food or prescriptions or extend sales tax to currently untaxed businesses.

In an emailed statement, McCrory said a plan introduced in the House and one backed by Sens. Dan Clodfelter, D-Mecklenburg, and Fletcher Hartsell, R-Cabarrus, are "closest to my position," but he said his staff has not yet verified the numbers in any proposal.

He also expressed opposition to taxing food, medicine or services that are not currently collecting and remitting sales taxes. All three of those proposals are part of the reform plan authored by Sen. Bob Rucho, R-Mecklenburg.

Here's the full statement:

“Our ultimate goal is to reduce tax rates for North Carolina families and businesses. The final tax plan must make North Carolina more competitive in order to create jobs and put our people back to work. This in turn will increase state revenue, allowing future tax relief without cutting public services."