Author Archives: Joe Horvath
Author Archives: Joe Horvath
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Nickel and Diming Innovation to Death
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is creating a new tax on Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) to the tune of $0.20 per ride. Of the $0.20, five cents, or a full jitney nickel, will go to none other than the taxi industry itself.
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For Economic Opportunity, the Redder the Better
Many of America’s bluest states are deep in the red thanks to tried-and-failed progressive policies. The Illinois General Assembly can’t pass a long-term budget deal, leading to significant losses…
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Speaker Ryan, Chairman Brady Propose Pro-Growth Tax Reform for Congress
Fundamental tax reform has eluded Congress since the Reagan administration, but that is not stopping some members from proposing sweeping relief for our overburdened economy. As part of his “A…
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A Congressional Proposal for “A Better Way”
During a recent address in the United States Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and other congressional leaders outlined “A Better Way,” a series of policy proposals mostly…
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Growth in the Desert
By abandoning the tax-and-spend playbook and prioritizing sound budgeting, state officials and legislators continue to help Arizona separate itself from economically overburdened states like Illinois, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
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Rich States, Poor States: 9th Edition Released
On Tuesday, the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC) Center for State Fiscal Reform released the ninth edition of the Rich States, Poor States ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index rankings. The…
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Filtering out the Myths Supporting Cigarette Taxes
If the concern of state officials is with the public welfare, the choice is clear. Based on the empirical data collected from other states, increasing cigarette taxes will chill commerce, burden small businesses, damage employment rates and do little for public health.
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The New Hampshire Primary Results Project Little Hope in Economic Growth
Because of its varying policies, New Hampshire’s economic priorities are difficult to gauge, which some pundits might suggest make the state a good testing ground for presidential candidates’ platforms. The state’s inherent fiscal inconsistencies might also explain the seemingly irreconcilable gulf between voters’ concerns about the economy and their support for Sanders and Trump.
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A Permanent Internet Tax Freedom Act
It only took 18 painstaking years, but the Internet Tax Freedom Act (ITFA) is close to becoming a permanent reality. By an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 75-20, the U.S. Senate…
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State of the State: Oklahoma
Governor Fallin has traditionally been an ally of limited government, free markets and federalism. However, given the difficult economic circumstances that her oil-dependent state is suffering, the governor and legislature are in a trying position.
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State of the State: Utah
Few states in the nation can rival Utah’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic competitiveness. A lesser writer would even say that the Beehive State’s economy is buzzing. Utah’s consistent…
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State of the Commonwealth: Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker had a good week following the news that General Electric is moving its corporate headquarters to Boston. If Baker and Massachusetts continue to implement spending and tax reductions,…
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State of the State: New Mexico
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez recently gave her State of the State address, opening the 2016 legislative session. The governor’s address reflected the crossroads at which New Mexico currently stands.
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State of the State: California
If the governor wants to actually avoid having to raise taxes, he should propose ways to shrink the scope of government, instead of pursuing the spendthrift polices that have dried up California’s funds.
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State of the State: Missouri
During his state of the state address, Missouri Governor Jay Nixon made his priorities very clear: he wants to expand Medicaid and spend more on education.
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State of the State: Colorado
While its growth comes from a friendly tax environment, Colorado’s budget woes come from an increase in spending.