Dalton backing away from tax increase

RALEIGH, N.C. (AP) - Democratic Lt. Gov. Walter Dalton says he won't seek a sales tax increase in his first budget plan if elected North Carolina governor but declined to rule out the idea during a potential term in office as chief executive.

Dalton's comments this week to News14 Carolina and The News & Observer of Raleigh appear to distance him from statements he made earlier this year supporting outgoing Gov. Beverly Perdue's proposal to raise the sales tax temporarily by three-quarters of a cent.

Supporters of Republican gubernatorial rival Pat McCrory have tried to link Dalton and Perdue on the sales tax issue.

Dalton said he backed the sales tax increase because of education cuts by the Legislature. He says tax revenues are slowly improving and his education ideas won't require an increase.