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Player of the Year Georgia Schweitzer nabbed the ACC honor for the second consecutive season. Alana Beard won frehman of the year. See page 11
THE INDEPENDENT DAILY AT DUKE UNIVERSITY
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WWW.CHRONICLE.DUKE.EDU
VOL. 96, NO. 112
State could cut county funding By DEVIN FINN The Chronicle
GWEN LEBERRE/THE CHRONICLE
DURHAM RESTAURANT, Rick’s Diner, will be affected if the county implements a meals tax. In comparison to a property tax, advocates say a meals tax will raise funding from non-Durham residents.
Mayor: meals tax leaves table By REBECCA SUN The Chronicle
the majority of the estimated $3.6 million annual revenue
would go toward funding local cultural and sports facilities, with the most notable recipient being either a 5,000-seat theater or the redevelopment of the American Tobacco site. However, with plans for both projects on hold, most say that the General Assembly will not approve See MEALS TAX on page 10 P
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The possibility that Durham restaurant patrons will have to pay a 1 percent meals tax on their tabs is far in the future, said mayor Nick Tennyson. The muchdebated tax has floated on Durham’s agenda for years, as a means of funding the city’s downtown revitalization. But without confirmed projects that need the
money, the tax may never reach consumers’ restaurant tab. “[The proposed meals tax is] not something on which I’m spending a tremendous amount of energy,” Tennyson said. “It’s not something I see as a possibility without a specific project to back it up.” In the recent proposal, submitted to the state legislature by the Durham Convention and Visitors Bureau in early January
Last month’s announcement of state funding cuts has forced Durham County to reevaluate its spending habits, as it prepares for a potential $3.2-million reduction of its current $3BO-million budget. Despite questions as to whether funding for counties will be cut, city and county officials across the state have been planning how they would handle a $95-million loss. “It took us very much by surprise,” said interim County Manager Mike Ruffin, in regards to the Feb. 12 announcement. With only four months in the fiscal year and $5O million in county funds remaining, the process of offsetting the heavy cut by June would be a difficult one. County administrators are not certain of the cut, which would rescind the expected inventory tax reimbursement payment. Ron Aycock, director of the North Carolina Association of County Commissioners, said the State Budget Office and Gov. Mike Easley are “very reluctant” to pursue that route. State officials said they hope to find away to avoid the cut. According to Aycock, the state’s budget problems stem from large increases in Medicaid costs, decreased sales tax revenues and a generally slowing economy. He recommended that counties maintain a balanced budget and said several county administrators are writing Easley and the General Assembly to inform them about plans to alleviate the blow. Durham has already begun to react by implementing an immediate hiring freeze and laying off all temporary employees. The county is also reviewing discretionary purchases of equipment and has suspended all out-of-town travel. In addition, the county has temporarily halted the expansion of any government programs. For examSee COUNTY CUTS on page 5
GPSC social events lacking in attendance, interaction Hoping to create intra-departmental relations, GSPC sponsors 3 large-scale social events belle McFadden. “While inter-social events might not have as many tangible benefits as health insurance, on a dayWhile throwing their political supto-day basis, they make students feel port behind issues ranging from inmore part of a whole.” coverage insurance to creasing health However, GPSC has only sponsored drafting a student’s bill ofrights, gradutheir three inter-social events in the past five fiate student leaders have placed months. Both the events held first setowards social events. support nancial “We thought it was important to have mester, a welcome-back party and a celsocial events for graduate students,” ebration for the Duke-Temple men’s said Carrie Lumb-Dewey treasurer of basketball game, were poorly attended. the Graduate and Professional Student The Quasi-Valentines party, held second semester, was better received by the Council. “This year, we budgeted a subgraduate community. these events. fund amount to stantial “The welcome-back party suffered and Our allocation was more than double likewise the Temple game due to lack of year.” what it was last said McFadden, a third-year publicity” of its that $lO,OOO mandated GPSC student in French. “I expected a graduate budget be spent on inter-social events that. But the Valentine’s better on job intra-departmenaimed at increasing a better job, and the word was did party interaction. tal “The bottom line is that GPSC is here spread primarily by word of mouth.” With the low attendance, some wonder for the graduate students, and I hear a GRADUATE STUDENTS share an evening out together at George’s Club Annex. This Valentine’s gaps were bridged. intra-departmental lot of complaints that they feel isolated if 10 weekend event was sponsored by the Graduateand Professional Student Council. See GRADUATE STUDENTS on page and lonely” said GPSC president CyBy MOLLY JACOBS The Chronicle
Administrators expand curriculum resources,
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4 � New lottery bill enters house, page 4