Tag: Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force
Tag: Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force
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Erica York: Redskins Camp is a Bad Deal for RVA Taxpayers
As the Washington Redskins “broke training camp” at their state-of-the art facility, the city of Richmond is going broke paying for it all.This year marks the fifth season the football …
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Enhanced Integrity in Public Employee Pension Plan Reporting
Enhanced Integrity in Public Employee Pension Plan Reporting Summary Under current GAAP for state and local governments some financial statement users may not realize the gravity of failure to …
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Jonathan Williams Joins the State Financial Officers Foundation Advisory Board
Jonathan Williams has joined the State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF) Advisory Board.
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State of the State: New Hampshire
Despite the Granite State’s strengths and Sununu’s proposals, there remains work to be done. For example, the top marginal tax rate for corporations is a steep 8.2%; and although New Hampshire doesn’t have a personal income tax or sales tax, it does have the highest property tax burden in the nation. New Hampshire also ranks a lackluster 37th in the nation in terms of burdensome regulations according to the Pacific Research Institute. Furthermore, the recently released ALEC report Unaccountable and Unaffordable 2016 ranks the state’s pension funding level at 43rd nationally. Using a risk-free rate of return of 2.344 percent, New Hampshire’s state pensions are unfunded in excess of $13,000 per capita with a funded ratio of just 28 percent.
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Spooky, Scary Pension Fund Skeletons
If states want to keep their pension plans healthy, and avoid a virtual apocalypse of the pension undead, reform is indispensable.
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Nickel and Diming Innovation to Death
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is creating a new tax on Transportation Networking Companies (TNCs) to the tune of $0.20 per ride. Of the $0.20, five cents, or a full jitney nickel, will go to none other than the taxi industry itself.
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For Economic Opportunity, the Redder the Better
Many of America’s bluest states are deep in the red thanks to tried-and-failed progressive policies. The Illinois General Assembly can’t pass a long-term budget deal, leading to significant losses …
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A Congressional Proposal for “A Better Way”
During a recent address in the United States Capitol’s Statuary Hall, Speaker of the House Paul Ryan and other congressional leaders outlined “A Better Way,” a series of policy proposals mostly …
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Draft Act to Identify Coercive Federal Funds in the Budget of [INSERT STATE]
An Act to create [section ______] of the statutes; relating to: [state legislative budget bureau] reports on federal funds in the state budget, and the conditions attached by federal law and federal regulation thereto, …
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State Council on Competitive Government Act
{Title, enacting clause, etc.} Section 1. {Definitions.} In this chapter: (1) “Council” means the State Council on Competitive Government. (2) “Local government” means a county, municipality, special district, school district, …
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Growth in the Desert
By abandoning the tax-and-spend playbook and prioritizing sound budgeting, state officials and legislators continue to help Arizona separate itself from economically overburdened states like Illinois, Connecticut and Pennsylvania.
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Victory for Taxpayers in Pennsylvania Budget
Pennsylvania taxpayers were victorious in April, as the commonwealth completed the last part of its 2015-2016 budget. Governor Tom Wolf allowed the fiscal code bill to go into effect, marking …
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Filtering out the Myths Supporting Cigarette Taxes
If the concern of state officials is with the public welfare, the choice is clear. Based on the empirical data collected from other states, increasing cigarette taxes will chill commerce, burden small businesses, damage employment rates and do little for public health.
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State Tax Cut Roundup: 2015 Legislative Session
The 2015 legislative session featured a notable number of states achieving tax relief and tax reform for their citizens. Pro-growth tax reform was a key theme throughout the 2015 legislative …
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The New Hampshire Primary Results Project Little Hope in Economic Growth
Because of its varying policies, New Hampshire’s economic priorities are difficult to gauge, which some pundits might suggest make the state a good testing ground for presidential candidates’ platforms. The state’s inherent fiscal inconsistencies might also explain the seemingly irreconcilable gulf between voters’ concerns about the economy and their support for Sanders and Trump.
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Governor Bevin Calls for Responsible Spending in New Budget
Newly elected Kentucky Governor Matt Bevin used his State of the Commonwealth Budget Address to challenge Kentucky to do better in terms of responsible budgeting and be “the best version …
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State of the State: Utah
Few states in the nation can rival Utah’s commitment to fiscal responsibility and economic competitiveness. A lesser writer would even say that the Beehive State’s economy is buzzing. Utah’s consistent …
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State of the Commonwealth: Massachusetts
Governor Charlie Baker had a good week following the news that General Electric is moving its corporate headquarters to Boston. If Baker and Massachusetts continue to implement spending and tax reductions, …
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State of the State: New Mexico
New Mexico Governor Susana Martinez recently gave her State of the State address, opening the 2016 legislative session. The governor’s address reflected the crossroads at which New Mexico currently stands.
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Resolution Calling for a Federal Balanced Budget Amendment
{Title, enacting clause, etc.} A RESOLUTION, for the purpose of petitioning the Congress of the United States to adopt an amendment to the Constitution of the United States, for submission to …