NC officials say state is owed more than $500M

CHARLOTTE -- North Carolina officials say the state is owed more than $500 million in unpaid taxes that could help cover a record $2 billion revenue shortfall. The Charlotte Observer reported Tuesday that a Department of Revenue listing showed $505 million in taxes were owed at the end of February. The unpaid taxes are more glaring because the state budget already includes some $930 million in cuts and $177 million in delayed capital projects. Officials say the state is collecting about $144 million by garnishing paychecks and that about $100 million is being collected through payment plans. (Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)