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Archives: State Budgets / Articles (page 8)
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Online Sales Tax: Crushing Small Business
Hardworking individual and business taxpayers deserve protection from out-of-state tax collectors and regulators. The United States Constitution, as well as subsequent rulings from the United States Supreme Court, such as…
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Colorado State of the State: Hickenlooper’s Pursuit of Taxes
The governor is right that “by almost any measure, we’ve become one of the best places for business in America.” But expanding crony capitalism and increasing the tax burden make maintaining this coveted status more difficult. Following five consecutive years in the top 10 for economic outlook in Rich States, Poor States, Colorado dropped to 16th in 2013 and has failed to fully recover. A sharpened focus on regulatory reform and pension reform are required to guarantee continued success in the Centennial State.
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Kansas State of the State: Gov. Brownback Resists Tax Hikes, Calls for Constitutional Amendment on Ed Financing
The governor’s rejection of a tax increase is welcomed news for taxpayers. Just last year, legislators overrode his veto in order to enact an enormous tax increase of $1.2 billion over the next two years alone. This tax hike on individuals and businesses wiped out much of the tax reductions from the 2012 reforms. Avoiding a new tax increase, pushing for a voter-approved constitutional amendment on school financing, and demanding educational reforms will help avoid compounding the damage from last year’s tax hikes.
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The Williams Report
Budget Alabama: The Alabama Senate passed a $2 billion dollar general fund budget. The increase is due primarily to $51 million dollars of additional appropriations to the Department of…
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Governor Baker Highlights Tax-Hike Free Budget and Accomplishments
Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker delivered his third State of the State address, highlighting the states’ successes and challenges over the past three years and his administration’s plans…
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Governor Hogan Aims to Reduce State Taxes in Response to Federal Tax Reform
Governor Larry Hogan delivered his fourth State of the State address at the end of January. The largely positive address condemned hyper-partisanship, highlighted the economic improvements that coincided with state…
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Oregon State of the State: Governor Brown Demands Spending on Pet Projects, Neglects Needed Reforms
In her recent State of the State Address, Governor Kate Brown kicked off Oregon’s short 35-day legislative session with a litany of policy proposals, all in her…
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Arizona State of the State: Confidence and Conviction, Promise and Possibility
Arizona Governor Doug Ducey delivered a sunny State of the State address, highlighting the “capacity of our state, and its people, to always be ahead of the…
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California State of the State: A High Speed Train of Taxes and Spending
California Governor Jerry Brown boldly championed an unabashedly liberal agenda throughout his 16th—and final—State of the State address. The governor declared, “California is prospering,” a stark turnaround from the economic…
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The Williams Report
Budget Alaska: Gov. Bill Walker aims to reduce state spending by 1.7 percent, eliminating over 200 positions. Arizona: Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey released his…
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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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South Dakota Legislative Proposals Would Dramatically Reform Spending, Provide Stability, & Deliver Tax Relief
Two pieces of legislation working their way through the South Dakota legislature could provide spending restraint along with property tax relief for residents. The first is SJR 5, which is…
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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…
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South Dakota State of the State: Mixed Agenda of Pro-Growth Regulatory Reform but Possible Tax Hikes
South Dakota Governor Dennis Daugaard’s 2018 State of the State focused on workforce development, public education, occupational licensing reform, a possible transportation tax increase and support for overturning legal precedent…
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Idaho State of the State: Governor Otter Celebrates Economic Strength, Advocates for Modest Tax Cuts in Final Year
In his twelfth and final state of the state address, Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter celebrated Idaho’s continued strengths. “Our State government is leaner, more fiscally responsible, more transparent, more responsive,…
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West Virginia State of the State: Governor Justice Changes His Tune on Tax Hikes
In his 2018 State of the State Address, West Virginia Governor Jim Justice (R.) lamented last year’s failed push for higher taxes, saying “It was really unfair…
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Indiana State of the State Address
The Hoosier State has implemented commendable changes regarding tax and fiscal policy in the past several years, with strong leaders at the helm including Governor Eric Holcomb, and former Governors…
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Florida State of the State: Governor Scott Calls for Supermajority Requirement for Tax Hikes
In an emotional final State of the State address January 9, Florida Governor Rick Scott began by thanking the people of Florida for the opportunity granted him…