We retired Tax Justice Blog in April 2017. For new content on issues related to tax justice, go to www.justtaxesblog.org
February 14, 2012 12:58 PM
- In this upside down world where closing a corrupt tax loophole is called a tax hike (like that’s a bad thing), some states are moving towards amending their constitutions to require a two thirds supermajority to raise taxes or borrow money. This is a shame. New Hampshire Senators, for example, are expected to vote on a supermajority proposal later this week. Here’s an excellent editorial from the Idaho Statesman and a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities about the perils of supermajorities.
- It’s been just over a month since Kansas Governor Brownback unveiled his tax plan and the criticism continues. His plan, which would raises taxes on the bottom 80 percent of the income distribution, was recently called “radical and troubling.” Attention is shifting to the House, where leaders are now introducing their own tax proposal which includes the most costly and regressive elements of the Governor’s proposal.
- Kudos to Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear for appointing his 23 member blue ribbon commission to study the state’s tax system and propose ways to reform it. Let’s hope they heed the governor’s call for “a tax system that produces adequate revenue that meets the needs of our people,” and his admonition that there comes a time “when slashing programs and services starts a downward spiral from which recovery is too difficult and too steep.”
- Good news from Nebraska, where it looks like support is weak for the Governor’s proposal to eliminate the inheritance tax. Legislators know that revenue from this tax goes directly to counties, which would have to cut services or make up the revenues with regressive tax increases.
- Finally, in planning your Valentine’s dinner, you might think twice about eating at a Yum Brands restaurant (KFC, Taco Bell, and Pizza Hut) or serving Campbell Soup, H.J. Heinz or ConAgra Foods products. Our Corporate Tax Dodging in the Fifty States, 2008-2010 found that, despite being profitable, these companies didn’t pay any federal corporate income taxes in at least one year between 2008-2010.