During this season of budgets there is a lot of concern about what looks like a big year for tax hikes. Many of us as well are already digging deeper to cover fuel costs directly and inflation driven by them indirectly. Then there’s the simple fact that the making and selling of housing, now in a serious slump, is a key enterprise around here.

Other costs of operating the public sector are going up as well. This month, the Orange Water and Sewer Authority will be holding a series of public hearings on a rate increase that would raise the average bill by 24 percent.
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By Elaine Mejia

Recently, a North Carolina judge ruled against Wal-Mart in the giant retailer’s lawsuit against the state of North Carolina. In 2005, the state sent Wal-Mart a bill claiming that the retailer owed $33.5 million in back taxes. Wal-Mart paid up (probably to avoid heavy interest penalties later on) but then sued in state court in 2006 to have the money returned.

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