We retired Tax Justice Blog in April 2017. For new content on issues related to tax justice, go to www.justtaxesblog.org
July 16, 2012 2:04 PM
- Figures from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP) are cited in this editorial explaining why making Kansas’ tax structure more like Texas’ is public policy at its worst.
- Dan Carpenter’s column in the Indianapolis Star explains who’s hurt by an Indiana law set to issue $300 million in automatic tax breaks as a result of the state’s allegedly rosy budget situation. Taxpayers might be happy at first to see an extra $100 or $200 in their bank accounts, but at what cost?
- PolitiFact Oregon confirms what advocates long argued: special tax breaks are on autopilot and growing fast, while education and other services suffer as a result.
- North Carolina GOP gubernatorial candidate (and likely next Tarheel State governor) Pat McCrory is making big promises to cut taxes if elected. What’s in his plan? Cutting personal income taxes, lowering the state’s corporate income tax rate, and eliminating the state’s estate tax. Sound familiar?
- Looking who’s playing politics now in New Jersey. Just days after Governor Chris Christie chided Democrats for holding up his tax cut proposal for political reasons, the state’s Republican Party aired its second radio ad attacking Democrats. From the ad: “Sadly, it’s the same old story from the Legislature. Billions for special interest spending. Not a dollar for tax cuts for New Jersey families.”
- A new budget and tax policy primer from the Open Sky Policy Institute offers a great overview of how Nebraska collects and spends public funds. One of many important facts: Nebraska actually spends more on special tax breaks than it does on all General Fund appropriations combined.