Archives: Tax Reform / Articles
Archives: Tax Reform / Articles (page 26)
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New 2014 Rich States, Poor States Rankings Show States Are Making Large Reforms
Since 2008, Rich States, Poor States: ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index has used the latest economic data to determine which states are doing well and which states are struggling. The…
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Balancing Ride-on-Demand Innovations with Common Sense Consumer Protections
We all can agree that overregulation of an industry tends to chill innovative business strategies and ultimately harm the consumers the regulations were intended to protect. However, in pursuit of…
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Financial Ready Idaho
States are increasing their dependence on federal funds at a time when the federal government is facing difficult fiscal challenges. According to the nonpartisan fiscal watchdog group, State…
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Kansas Supreme Court Usurps Legislature’s Authority
In most states, elected officials, usually state legislators, are responsible for assessing what education funding in the state should be and will be. Recently, the Kansas Supreme Court ruled…
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Arizona says “Neigh” to Small Businesses
By Audrey Williams If two ride a horse, one must ride behind. But, when the riders are government and small businesses, it’s always the latter who should ride front.
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Tax Reform and Pension Reform
This appeared on PublicSectorInc.Org on March 11, 2014. Congressman Dave Camp’s recently released tax reform draft has stimulated a much-needed national conversation about the U.S. tax code, attracting …
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Pension Expert: Local Pennsylvania Downgrades Lurk
With new accounting rules looming, states and municipalities are beginning to realize that their unfunded pension liabilities are much more severe than they had previously estimated. Defined-benefit pension plans, the…
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Tennessee Considers Eliminating Hall Tax
Tennessee policymakers are considering the repeal or “localization” of the Hall Tax, a tax on investment income (interest, dividends, and capital gains). The legislature is correct to consider this a…
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Attacking Consumer Choices through the Tax Code
Last week, a bill was introduced but never heard in the Washington State Senate that considered a proposal to tax electronic cigarettes at 95 percent of their cost; the…
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Wireless Tax Burden Harms US Economy
Since the Federal Communications Commission approved mobile devices for public consumption in 1983, the use of wireless phones has increased by 25 to 35 percent per year. Today, mobile…
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New Report Reveals Level of Federal Aid to the States and Importance of Fiscal Federalism
By: William Freeland, Kati Siconolfi, and Steven Johnson In the face of a stagnating economy and national debt topping $17 trillion, many policymakers in Washington, D.C. are seeking ways…
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Pension Interview with Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association
Jonathan Williams, Director of ALEC’s Center for State Fiscal Reform, was a recent guest on the Pennsylvania Manufacturers’ Association show, PMA Perspectives, broadcast statewide on PCN. During the show, he…
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Reforming the Federal Corporate Tax and Individual Income Tax: A Step in the Right Direction
Earlier today U.S. Representative Dave Camp, Chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, released a bill designed to fundamentally reform both the federal corporate and individual income tax (press…
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An Examination of State Tax Instruments
All states need to collect revenue if they are to fund the necessary government services that they must provide. While it can be argued what does and does not belong…
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Pension Myths Keep Us From Making Badly Needed Reforms
As 2014 brings in new struggles for cities and states to pay for employee legacy costs while still funding the essential functions of government, policymakers on both sides of the…
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Ben Wilterdink Testimony on Maryland Tax Reform
On February 18, 2014, Ben Wilterdink was asked to testify in front of the Maryland House Ways and Means committee in regards to House Bills 326, 328, and 330. His…
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Kati Siconolfi Testimony on Maryland Tax Reform
On February 5, 2014 Kati Siconolfi was invited to testify in front of the Maryland Senate Budget and Tax Committee. Her written testimony can be found below. Mr. Chairman, and…
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President Obama Can Find Change In The States
This article appeared on AmericasFuture.org February 5, 2014. President Obama’s State of the Union address has produced a polarizing effect on the nation; some fully support him while others express…
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The Laffer Curve Takes its Toll in Maryland
The idea that lowering tax rates can lead to higher revenue collections from increased economic activity is not a new one. Nor is this observation unique to tax policy. A…
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Minimum Wages: Few Benefits, Many Consequences
President Obama’s recent State of the Union address was the culmination of months of advocacy from Democrats and activists for a higher minimum wage. The President proposed a raise to…