Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

California

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State Rundown 4/6: Late-Session Surprises Pt. 2

April 6, 2022 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 4/6: Late-Session Surprises Pt. 2

Last week we highlighted how several states were pushing through regressive tax cuts as their legislative sessions are coming to a close. Well, this week many of those same states took further actions on those bills and it’s safe to say we’re even less impressed than before...

State Rundown 3/30: Late-Session Surprises Leave Us Unimpressed

Several states have dropped a few late-session surprises, and from the looks of it, they’re not the good kind...

State Rundown 3/16: The Scramble to Curb Rising Gas Prices is On

Rising gas prices have lawmakers around the country searching for ways to ease the pressure on consumers and almost half the states are considering reducing or temporarily repealing their gas tax, but another idea is taking hold...

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State Gas Tax Holidays are Nothing to Celebrate

March 16, 2022 • By Carl Davis

State Gas Tax Holidays are Nothing to Celebrate

It’s unlikely that state gas tax holidays will meaningfully benefit consumers, and they come with risks for states’ infrastructure quality.

California Budget & Policy Center: California’s Tax & Revenue System Isn’t Fair for All

March 10, 2022

Californians need quality public health and schools, access to affordable housing and clean water, and safe roads and neighborhoods along with many more services to live and thrive – no matter one’s zip code. Accordingly, the state’s tax and revenue system must raise adequate revenue to cover the services provided by state and local governments and make […]

State Rundown 3/9: One State Stands Out Amid the Avalanche of Tax Cuts

The avalanche of regressive tax-cut proposals coming out of state legislatures has not slowed over the course of the winter months, but one state has provided a shot of hope to advocates of tax equity...

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State Rundown 2/23: Temporary Surplus, Permanent Cuts

February 23, 2022 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 2/23: Temporary Surplus, Permanent Cuts

Several state legislatures are continuing to push ahead this year with significant tax cut packages that are regressive and would dramatically reduce revenues and leave states in a bad position should they experience another unexpected economic shock...

State Rundown 2/16: Spending Priorities Emerge as the Votes Are Counted

State lawmakers have been busy working out deals and negotiating how best to use excess revenues, and as the votes are beginning to come in, spending priorities are becoming clearer...

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State Rundown 2/10: Dems Also Set Sights on Tax Cuts

February 10, 2022 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 2/10: Dems Also Set Sights on Tax Cuts

While record state revenue surpluses have led to big pushes in red states to make unnecessary permanent income and corporate tax cuts, Democrats are also getting in on the tax-cut mania...

Federal EITC Enhancements Help More Than One in Three Young Workers

More than one in three young adults would benefit from workers without children being eligible to receive the federal EITC. This policy change would bolster young adults’ economic security.

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State Rundown 2/2: The First Tax Cut Domino Falls…

February 2, 2022 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 2/2: The First Tax Cut Domino Falls…

One-time payments have become a common theme around the country, as Idaho is one of roughly eleven states with plans to provide tax relief in a similar fashion...

State Rundown 1/20: Governors Eyeing Tax Cuts in Yearly Addresses

A common theme is emerging out of states, as governors around the U.S. begin the year with their annual state speeches, and the news does not bode well for long-term growth and sustainable budgets...

State Rundown 1/13: The Tax Cuts Cometh, But There Is a Better Way

As expected, with the start of many new legislative sessions around the country, lawmakers have introduced a slew of tax cut plans following better-than-expected budget outlooks that have, so far, weathered the impact of the pandemic...

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Investing in a Joint Future: Harnessing State Tax Codes

January 10, 2022 • By Aidan Davis

Investing in a Joint Future: Harnessing State Tax Codes

Rather than resorting to tax cuts, which can eventually create revenue shortfalls, lawmakers should determine whether they have adequately invested in people and communities. There are better ways to leverage tax systems to help those who need it most.

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The Pendulum Is Swinging Toward Tax Justice

January 5, 2022 • By ITEP Staff, Jenice Robinson, Kamolika Das

The Pendulum Is Swinging Toward Tax Justice

Tax justice is deeply connected to the movements for equality and racial justice. Progressive tax policy can ensure more of us share in the prosperous economy that our collective tax dollars make possible. It can mitigate economic disparities by class and race. And it can make sure the government has the resources it needs to function for all of us. 

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State Rundown 1/5: New Year, Same Old Playbook

January 5, 2022 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 1/5: New Year, Same Old Playbook

The new year often brings with it a reinvigorated commitment to new goals and a fresh perspective on how to accomplish them, but it seems like lawmakers in states around the country are giving up already...

McClatchy: Parents Are Receiving Their Final Monthly Child Tax Credits. Will Congress Bring Them Back?

December 16, 2021

Continuing the expanded credit in 2022 would mean these savings for California families with tax cuts next year, according to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: — Less than $29,100 income (lowest 20%): $4,080 — $29,100 to $51,700 (next 20%): $2,850 — $51,700 to $83,200 (next 20%): $2,780 — $83,200 to $151,100 (next 20%): […]

McClatchy: What would the Biden tax-break plan mean for your wallet?

December 7, 2021

Most families with children as well as taxpayers with higher six-figure incomes are the biggest California winners from the tax changes in the Biden administration’s Build Back Better plan so far. Middle income people see a somewhat smaller tax break on average, according to an analysis from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, a […]

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State Rundown 11/23: Thankful for Tax Advocates Like You!

November 23, 2021 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 11/23: Thankful for Tax Advocates Like You!

Here at ITEP we want to give thanks and say we’re grateful for all of the hard work that advocates in states across the country are doing to secure progressive tax policy victories...

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Analysis of the House of Representatives’ Build Back Better Legislation

November 18, 2021 • By Carl Davis, Steve Wamhoff

Analysis of the House of Representatives’ Build Back Better Legislation

If the bill becomes law, in 2022 federal taxes would go up for the average taxpayer among the richest one percent and down for the average taxpayer in other income groups.

State Rundown 11/10: It’s Beginning to Look a Lot Like…Election Season?!

If the leaves are turning colors and you find yourself walking out of the office into pitch-black darkness, it only means that time of the year is upon us—and no, I'm not talking about the holiday season. Before that, it’s the equally important election season...

The Impact of Work From Home on Commercial Property Values and the Property Tax in U.S. Cities

The fiscal implications of a decline in commercial property values are important because the property tax is the dominant local source of taxes, and commercial property makes up a significant portion of the property base in cities.

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State Rundown 10/27: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice

October 27, 2021 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 10/27: Pumpkin Spice & Everything Nice

The end of Spooky Season is near but that hasn’t stopped state lawmakers from adding their frightening plans into the bubbling cauldron of bad tax policy ideas...

Boosting Incomes and Improving Tax Equity with State Earned Income Tax Credits in 2021

The EITC benefits low-income people of all races and ethnicities. But it is particularly impactful in historically excluded Black and Hispanic communities where discrimination in the labor market, inequitable educational systems, and countless other inequities have relegated a disproportionate share of people to low-wage jobs.

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State Rundown 10/13: Haven Sent Edition

October 13, 2021 • By ITEP Staff

State Rundown 10/13: Haven Sent Edition

The release of the ‘Pandora Papers’ showed once again that states and their tax systems play an important role in wealth inequality, and in this case, worsening it...