Archives: Ben Wilterdink / Articles
Archives: Ben Wilterdink / Articles (page 4)
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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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Oklahoma Considers Pro-Growth Tax Reform
Last year, Oklahoma legislators voted on a tax reduction package to the state’s personal income tax. The measure passed the legislature and was signed by Governor Fallin. Ultimately, however,…
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Oklahoma Tax Cuts Back on Track
Oklahoma is back on track to reduce its personal income tax and make sure it remains economically competitive. Last year, Oklahoma legislators voted to reduce the state’s personal income…
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The $5.1 Trillion Elephant in the Room
State Budget Solutions, a non-partisan public policy organization, has released their 4th annual report on state debt. The findings are not pleasant. The data shows that the total…
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In Texas, Economic Freedom Produces Innovation and Growth
The United States is in the midst of an economic paradigm shift as evidenced by the evolution of state-level economies. States that used to be bastions of economic innovation are…
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In New Report, Ideology trumps Common Sense
A new report from the Center for Effective Government comes with an eye-catching conclusion: if companies pay more taxes, they create more jobs. This assertion runs contrary to just…
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The Taxpayers’ Happy Thanksgiving
We all know there is nothing scarier than taxes, but with Halloween behind us, taxpayers have much to be thankful for this holiday season. ALEC’s recently released 2013…
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It’s Very Simple, States Should Cut Taxes To Boost Economic Growth
This article original appeared on Forbes.com on November 22, 2013. Read the original here. There was a strong trend of states…
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2013 Tax Cut Roundup Released
ALEC’s Center for State Fiscal Reform is proud to announce its newest publication, the 2013 State Tax Cut Roundup. Released this morning, the report has already garnered national…
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Colorado Taxpayers Reject Tax Increases, Choose Growth
On Tuesday a ballot measure to raise income taxes on Coloradans to raise funds for increased education spending failed. In fact, the measure, Amendment 66, didn’t just fail–it went…
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California Raising Minimum Wage and the Economic Consequences
Once again California has thrust itself into the national spotlight as a leader in enacting the policy wish list of the American Left. This time, California’s legislature has voted to…
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Texas vs. Maryland: Opposing Economic Strategies
Recently, Texas Governor Rick Perry and Maryland Governor Martin O’Malley had a verbal sparring match on CNN’s Crossfire. Both participants mentioned various statistics and claimed the mantle of economic success…
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The Utah Pension Reform Model
At a time when nearly all state government pension funds are suffering from severe underfunding, there are a few bright spots that stand out. Utah is one such bright spot…