There is no answer that won't get you in trouble. 

That's sort of the way it is with liberal policy in North Carolina and taxes: there is never a good time to reduce taxes.

If the economy is roaring and we have surpluses, we cannot reduce taxes because we need to build up our reserves.

If the economy is sputtering, well, we can't spare the revenues that would be sacrificed.

Check out this recent piece by Chris Fitzsimons of N.C. (Liberal) Policy Watch.  Fitz argues that we have just too much money that has to be spent to be giving people back some of their money...especially letting those temporary taxes die that were enacted in, oh, 2001.  There's a joke in there somewhere too.  "How many years can a tax be temporary in North Carolina....?

Anyhoo, too much money to spend to give tax relief?  HELLO!  That's kind of the whole point isn't Chris.  The General Assembly (including a fair share of Republicans) in cahoots with the Governor have spent themselves silly and now they're complaining because they don't have enough money.

Please, give me a break.  If you people had to run a real business and really be held accountable to someone, you wouldn't last a week!