Conservatives say General Assembly leaders need to know proposed tax increases would mean more difficult choices for North Carolina families.

Bus loads of anti-tax activists were expected Wednesday in Raleigh for the annual "Take Back Our State" rally, sponsored by the state chapter of Americans for Prosperity.

A scheduled speaker is Samuel "Joe the Plumber" Wurzelbacher. He made news during the presidential campaign when he asked Barack Obama about taxes.

Democratic legislative leaders are grappling with how to narrow a $4.6 billion budget gap for the year starting July 1.

Chapter president Dallas Woodhouse says the event behind the Legislative Building is designed to make clear to lawmakers that the public is taxed enough already. The group says spending needs to be reduced.