Author Archives: Christine Smith
Author Archives: Christine Smith
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The Williams Report: January 2019
BUDGET Arizona: Gov. Ducey’s Budget Proposal Adds to Arizona Education Spending Gov. Doug Ducey’s first budget since re-election contains a substantial increase in education spending. Arizona can…
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Americans Can Be Thankful for Tax Cuts
Since Congress passed the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 (TCJA), Americans are getting a larger piece of the pie from federal tax cuts and ensuing state tax reforms…
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The Williams Report: November 2018, Part 2
BUDGET Connecticut: General Assembly Democrats May Need GOP Help to Pass Next CT Budget Connecticut is currently projected to have a $2 billion deficit next budget cycle. The “volatility cap,”…
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The Williams Report: November 2018
BUDGET Indiana: Hoosiers Will Vote “Yes” or “No” on Balanced Budget Amendment Indiana voters will decide this November whether or not state legislators must pass a balanced…
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State Grant Transparency and Accountability Act
Model Policy Section 1. {Purpose} The State Department charged with overseeing State grants, within 12 months after the effective date of this Act, shall establish grant data standards and…
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Resolution in Opposition to Taxation or Regulation Without Representation
Resolution: WHEREAS, online businesses face a national onslaught of state sales tax regulations and obligations that defy the Commerce Clause of the United States Constitution; WHEREAS, our nation’s entrepreneurs are…
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Invasion of the Budget Snatchers: The Looming State Financial Crisis
Like the beginning of a horror movie, the end of a budget process is often bright with people smiling, shaking hands, and congratulating themselves on passing a balanced budget. But…
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The Williams Report: October 2018, Part 2
BUDGET: Arkansas: Hearings on State’s Budget to Get Going As budget hearings begin, Arkansas legislators will learn the details of programmatic and state agency funding needs, and what Governor…
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There’s No Better Time for Tax Reform in Virginia than the Present
The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 marked the first federal tax reform in more than 30 years. However, Virginia has not made a significant effort to reduce the…
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The Williams Report: October 2018
BUDGET: Alaska: New State Budget Report Predicts State Savings Accounts Will Be Empty by 2021 Alaska’s persistent funding crisis continues as the state is forced to underfund entitlements and…
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Center for State Fiscal Reform Hosts Midwest Tax and Fiscal Policy Academy
The ALEC Center for State Fiscal Reform recently hosted a successful Midwest Tax and Fiscal Policy Academy, with Nebraska legislative hosts Senator Jim Smith and Senator Lou Ann Linehan. The…
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Ohio State of the State
Governor John Kasich delivered his final State of the State address in an optimistic tone, exclaiming “I believe the state of Ohio is stronger today than it’s been in…
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Governor Walker’s State of the State: “Getting positive things done for the people of Wisconsin”
Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker delivered his 8th State of the State address in Madison, highlighting his “ambitious agenda” for the 2018 legislative session. Major areas of focus include education,…
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Illinois State of the State: “We cannot tax and borrow our way into prosperity”
Governor Bruce Rauner focused largely on the financial stress plaguing Illinois during his 2018 State of the State Address and Budget Address. The Land of Lincoln is one…
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Minnesota State of the State
Governor Mark Dayton delivered his final State of the State address in a largely optimistic tone declaring, “Our number one priority should be tax fairness for individual Minnesotans and their…
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New Hampshire State of the State Address
One of the youngest governors in the nation, Governor Chris Sununu, recently delivered his second State of the State address. He focused on New Hampshire’s unique strengths and commented,…
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Michigan State of the State: A Comeback Story
Fortune is changing in the state of Michigan following decades of extreme economic adversity, from the rapid downturn in the auto industry to the downward population spiral in Detroit. Governor…
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Kentucky State of the State: Governor Bevin Commits to Tax and Pension Reform
Kentucky had an eventful legislative session last year after the state house switched party control for the first time since 1921, resulting in a Republican trifecta. During…
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Missouri State of the State: Government Should “Do Fewer Things and Do Them Better.”
The Show-Me State’s 2018 legislative session is off to an exciting start, as Eric Greitens begins his second year as Missouri governor. His inaugural session in office focused heavily on…
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Nebraska State of the State: Tax Reform on the Horizon
Last year, Nebraska Governor Pete Ricketts (R.) received the American Legislative Exchange Council annual “Best of the Best” award for his bold, pro-growth oriented State of the…