LOST: Finally explained! Mysteries Solved! Secrets Revealed!

If you were like me, then you were not satisfied with the series finale of Lost and you are hoping that this blog by a faculty member at UNC is somehow is going to put it all together for you and redeem the show.  Sorry, I am here to blow your mind with revelations about LOSTs or local option sales taxes.  Wait, wait, do not be too disappointed.  LOSTs are actually a hot button issue these days and are vital to financing local government in North Carolina…and spoiler alert the blog is called “Death and Taxes” so hopefully you saw this coming (more than the lame conclusion of Lost). **Quick disclaimer: The views presented about the final season of Lost are those of Whitney Afonso and do not represent the official stance of the School of Government or the University of North Carolina.** First things first, what are local option sales taxes or LOSTs?  LOSTs are sales taxes that are adopted by local governments when permitted by the state.  Forty states have some form of LOST statute that enables local governments to adopt one (to wildly varying degrees).  In North Carolina, there are very specific LOST instruments available to counties