The Wilmington Standard Daily Update for Feb. 13, 2026 challenges Wilmington’s proposed tax hike to fund $14.6M in wage increases for 1,200 city employees. While backing strong pay for police and fire, it blasts City Manager Becky Hawke’s goal of making government an “employer of choice,” arguing government should cut positions, privatize, and automate to provide essential services with fewer workers and lower taxes.