(BeaufortCountyNow.com) That means the state has put each taxpayer $14,800 in debt, the report says. The financial burden on North Carolinians is worse than that on taxpayers in 34 other states, landing not too far behind California and New York on a scale of indebtedness. State officials challenge the methods used by the study and say the state's debt situation is much less dire than the institute reports.  Read more.