Archives: Tax Reform / Articles
Archives: Tax Reform / Articles (page 9)
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Oklahoma State of the State: Governor Fallin Delivers Stern Tax and Spend Message
Despite early promise of being a bold reformer, the governor now zealously possesses the tax and spend mantle. And the spending extends beyond education. She promises a cornucopia of spending courtesy of the tax hikes on “initiatives that each of you are passionate about.”
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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 Mexico State of the State: Governor Applauds Economic Diversification and Pushes for Comprehensive Tax Reform
The governor’s proposals for comprehensive tax reform, economic diversification, infrastructure spending prioritization, and education reform can generate longer-term opportunities. However, additional changes are needed. The state’s tort system and worker’s compensation costs remain economic drags. The relative lack of tax and expenditure limits and 8th highest number of state employees per capita contribute to a bloated state government.
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Alaska State of the State: Governor Calls for Expanded Energy Production along with Higher Taxes
Governor Walker's wholehearted support for a continued energy production renaissance, energy infrastructure development, and expanded international trade bode well for an Alaskan economic rebound. However, the continued advocacy for income taxes and sales taxes combined with lack of acknowledgement of much-needed operational reforms threatens to negatively counter those pro-growth actions.
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Wyoming State of the State: Fiscal Soundness Despite Setbacks in Energy Sector of Economy
Wyoming enjoys the 8th best economic outlook in the nation, according to Rich States, Poor States. This outlook has failed to translate into performance largely due to numerous macroeconomic factors and regulatory measures. The governor’s commitment to state regulatory reform, bureaucratic downsizing, and budget reform has resulted in the state weathering this storm with a strong balance sheet and low taxes. Rather than resort to higher taxes or centrally planned economic development, the continuation of a business-friendly climate is needed to incentivize further diversification and future growth of the economy.
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Utah State of the State: Acting Today with the Future in Mind
Even with the modest changes to property taxes and a possible increase in the gas tax, Utah’s overall pro-business status remains unrivaled. Economic growth and jobs growth over 10 years are 5th highest and 3rd highest, respectively. Perhaps Utah has indeed “become that shining city on a hill for our nation.”
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Pennsylvania Gov. Wolf’s Calls for Progress with “a Push”
Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Budget Address contained a strong undercurrent of authoritarianism. Progress, as defined by the governor’s dictionary, can sometimes “require a push.” Agenda items within the speech reveal…
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Washington State of the State: Governor Inslee Repeats Demand for Destructive Carbon Tax
In addition to a massive carbon tax, Governor Inslee called for workforce development initiatives, healthcare regulations, and myriad new social regulations. In aggregate, this big government agenda would impede the business climate and economic growth of the state.
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Connecticut Rises to 40th Place, But Not For the Reason You Might Expect
For the first time since 2011, Connecticut has escaped the bottom 10 of the 11th edition of the Rich States, Poor States ALEC-Laffer State Economic Competitiveness Index…
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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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Rich States, Poor States 11th edition – Top 10 States
The 11th edition of Rich States, Poor States is characterized by great movement in state economic performance and outlook as a result of federal tax reform and the resulting actions…
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Voting with their feet
The 11th edition of Rich States, Poor States is characterized by great movement in state economic performance and outlook as a result of federal tax reform and the resulting actions…
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Rich States, Poor States 11th edition – Bottom 10 States
The 11th edition of Rich States, Poor States is characterized by great movement in state economic performance and outlook as a result of federal tax reform and the resulting actions…
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New Jersey Inauguration: Governor Murphy Claims the Moral High Ground in Bid to Expand Government
Governor Murphy failed to recognize that those on the other side of the aisle may share the same ultimate policy outcome goals—justice, fairness, and growth—albeit with far different policy preferences. This threatens to block pragmatic bipartisan progress on numerous pressing issues.
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Governor Malloy Redefines “Fair”
In his final state of the state address, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy sidestepped the majority of the fiscal and economic issues plaguing the state in favor of paying lip service…
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The Williams Report
Budget National: S&P finds tariffs could hurt state, city budgets Alabama: The Alabama Senate delivers a general fund budget to the governor’s office. Alaska: To avert shutdown…
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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.