Augusta, Maine (Monday, March 20, 2017) State legislators on the taxation committee will hold a public hearing today on several bills that would roll back the tax to pay for education enacted under Question 2, the ballot initiative passed by Maine voters in November 2016. As a result of Question 2, the state will have the capacity to provide 55% of school funding mandated by voters previously in 2004.
ITEP Work in Action
Advocates and policymakers at the state and federal levels rely on ITEP’s analytic capabilities to inform their debates on proposed tax policy changes. In any given year, ITEP fields requests for analyses of policies in 25 or more states. ITEP also works with national partners to provide analyses of federal tax policy proposals. This section highlights reports that use ITEP analyses to make a compelling case for progressive tax reforms.
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ITEP Work in Action March 20, 2017 Maine Center for Economic Policy: MECEP Testifies Against Bills to Cut Taxes for the Wealthy at Expense of Maine’s Schools
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ITEP Work in Action March 20, 2017 Evidence Counts: Wealthiest 1% of West Virginians Gain from Tax Cuts in Health Care Repeal
The House proposal to repeal the federal Affordable Care Act (ACA) and replace it with the American Health Care Act (AHCA), provides only a tiny fraction of very wealthy West… -
ITEP Work in Action March 19, 2017 The Economic Progress Institute: Understanding Rhode Island’s Motor Vehicle Tax
The Motor Vehicle Tax (commonly known as the “Car Tax”) is a property tax collected by each Rhode Island municipality based on the value of each motor vehicle owned. There… -
ITEP Work in Action March 19, 2017 North Carolina Justice Center: BTC POLICY BASIC: Marginal versus Effective Personal Income Tax Rates
A great deal of confusion abounds in discussions about state personal income tax rates and how they apply to income. This policy basic clarifies the difference between marginal and effective… -
ITEP Work in Action March 19, 2017 North Carolina Justice Center: Still walking the path to zero: The Senate tax plan will harm North Carolina’s goal of building a stronger, inclusive economy
Senate leaders continue to pursue reductions to the income tax rate for wealthy taxpayers and profitable corporations even as they claim to be focused on helping low- and moderate-income taxpayers.… -
ITEP Work in Action March 19, 2017 Montana Budget & Policy Center: Capital Gains Tax Credit Valuing Wealth Over Work in Montana
In 2003, the Montana Legislature passed a capital gains tax credit that benefits a very narrow portion of our population at the great expense of our collective ability to adequately… -
ITEP Work in Action March 18, 2017 Kansas Center for Economic Growth: A Flat Tax Would Only Worsen Kansas’ Budget Crisis
Governor Sam Brownback’s 2012 plan to phase out the state income tax created an unprecedented fiscal crisis for Kansas. Some options presented for addressing this crisis would “flatten” Kansas’ income… -
ITEP Work in Action March 17, 2017 The Half Sheet: You Can’t Cut Your Way to Prosperity
Virginia’s tax system is upside down. Regular Virginians pay a higher share of their income in state and local taxes than the wealthy and powerful. An array of recently proposed… -
ITEP Work in Action March 9, 2017 Connecticut Voices for Children: Testimony Regarding S.B. No. 787 – AAC Revenue Items To Implement the Governor’s Budget
At Connecticut Voices for Children, we view the state budget as the clearest statement of Connecticut’s policy priorities. We believe that these priorities should advance long-term inclusive economic prosperity, equity… -
ITEP Work in Action March 9, 2017 Georgia Budget and Policy Institute: Targeted Fix to Income Tax Package Can Deliver Georgians a Win
Georgia lawmakers are considering a large income tax proposal with three sound tax policy reforms alongside one serious shortcoming. On the plus side, the current bill proposes to boost families… -
ITEP Work in Action March 6, 2017 Invest in Louisiana: Moving from Budget Cuts to State Investment
Louisiana’s tax system is broken. It doesn’t bring in enough revenue to pay for the things that allow communities to thrive- strong schools, good hospitals and public safety. It taxes… -
ITEP Work in Action March 3, 2017 Connecticut Voices for Children: Testimony Regarding Estate and Gift Taxes and Exempting Retirement Income: SB 5, SB 58, HB 6358, SB 6, SB 272, HB 6558, and HB 5587
Exemptions to Pensions and Social Security – Exempting retirement income would not only cause immediate revenue deterioration, but given the state’s aging population, could threaten long-term adequacy of the income… -
ITEP Work in Action February 28, 2017 Evidence Counts: A Marriage Not Made in Heaven: A State EITC Without an Income Tax
Last Friday, the Senate Select Committee on Tax Reform explored the idea of amending SB 335 to include a version of a refundable state Earned Income Tax Credit. As noted… -
ITEP Work in Action February 22, 2017 North Carolina Budget and Tax Center: The Road to Nowhere Good for North Carolina
Tax changes passed in the 2016 legislative session reduced the income tax rate and increased reliance on the sales tax. This continued flawed approach to taxation that policymakers have followed… -
ITEP Work in Action February 22, 2017 Georgia Budget & Policy Institute: Income Tax Bill Offers Earned Income Tax Credit Upside, Flat Tax Downside
Members of the Georgia House are set to consider a large income tax proposal that contains a mix of positive reforms and measures that raise significant concerns. Some aspects of… -
ITEP Work in Action February 21, 2017 Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: The Math Behind Ed Choice Tax Credit Fails Many Tests
Today in the House Education Committee legislators are hearing discussion of House Bill 162, a proposal to create a so-called Education Choice tax credit in Kentucky. This proposal does not… -
ITEP Work in Action February 21, 2017 Evidence Count: Governor Justice’s Tax Plan: Who Pays?
Governor Jim Justice has not introduced any tax measures yet, but in his State of the State Address and his executive budget there are plans to enact several tax increases to… -
ITEP Work in Action February 20, 2017 West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy: Income Tax Elimination is a Poor Growth Strategy
Unfazed by a $600 million looming budget deficit, plans by some lawmakers to reduce or eliminate West Virginia’s state income tax — which would mostly benefit the wealthiest residents —… -
ITEP Work in Action February 20, 2017 Evidence Counts: Replacing Income Taxes with a General Consumption Tax is Radical and Regressive (SB 335)
Senate leadership introduced SB 335 which would abolish the personal income tax and sales and use tax, phase out the corporate income tax, lower the severance tax, and replace these taxes… -
ITEP Work in Action February 17, 2017 West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy: What Would Eliminating the Income Tax Mean for West Virginia?
Eliminating the income tax is a strategy that has been tried over and over in other states with little or nothing to show, other than revenue erosion that brings cuts… -
ITEP Work in Action February 17, 2017 Maine Center for Economic Policy: Testimony in Opposition to Governor’s Proposed Budget, Parts D, E, and F
These proposed tax changes would stand in the way of building thriving communities and a strong Maine economy. There is a direct correlation between state resources and the ability to… -
ITEP Work in Action February 16, 2017 Open Sky Policy Institute: Income tax bills good for wealthy and non-residents
Forty percent of Nebraskans would see tax increases under LB 452 Low- and middle-income earners pay more of their incomes in sales taxes than income taxes. This is reflected in… -
ITEP Work in Action February 15, 2017 West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy: Replacing Income Tax with Sales Tax is a Boon for the Wealthy
Scale back income tax exemptions – Every taxpayer regardless of income receives a $2,000 exemption for each dependent. Phase it out between $150,000-$200,000, and eliminate it for those over $200,000,… -
ITEP Work in Action February 15, 2017 Kansas Action for Children: KAC Testimony to the Senate Assessment and Taxation Committee in Support of Senate Concurrent Resolution 1604
The high food sales tax hurts Kansas families. Food is a basic necessity for Kansas’ families. According to the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy, the state’s increasing reliance on… -
ITEP Work in Action February 15, 2017 West Virginia Center on Budget & Policy: Income Tax Cuts and Shifting to Sales Tax a Poor Strategy for Growing West Virginia’s Economy
Even though faced with a $600 million budget deficit, some West Virginia lawmakers are proposing reducing or eliminating the state’s income tax, and replacing that lost revenue with an increase… -
ITEP Work in Action February 14, 2017 ITEP Testimony Regarding Kansas Senate Bill 188
ITEP analysis of Kansas tax changes enacted between 2012 and 2015 shows the state lost over $1 billion in revenue annually from changes to its personal income tax, including lowering… -
ITEP Work in Action February 14, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Kasich plan continues tax shift
Governor John Kasich’s new tax proposal would further reinforce the shift in Ohio’s state and local tax system in favor of affluent residents and against those with lower or middle… -
ITEP Work in Action February 10, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Ohio Nees a Strong Income Tax
Ohio’s income tax is the only major tax that is based on ability to pay. This principle was embraced by the founders of our democracy, such as Thomas Jefferson, as… -
ITEP Work in Action February 9, 2017 DC Fiscal Policy Institute: Revenue: Where DC Gets Its Money
The DC government collects revenue in a variety of ways from its residents, businesses, and the federal government. These revenues are used to fund the wide array of services provided… -
ITEP Work in Action February 7, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Kasich Budget Shifts Taxes Again
New analysis for Policy Matters Ohio by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy, a national nonprofit research institute with a sophisticated model of the state and local tax system, shows the governor’s tax plan raises taxes for many Ohioans. It reduces state income tax rates and cuts the number of brackets from nine to five.
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ITEP Work in Action February 7, 2017 ITEP Testimony Regarding Kansas Senate Bill 2237
ITEP analysis of Kansas tax changes enacted between 2012 and 2015 shows the state lost over $1 billion in revenue annually from changes to its personal income tax, including lowering… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2017 Maine Center for Economic Policy: Upside-down tax plan, missed opportunity, and unnecessary and harmful cuts in the governor’s budget proposal
At a time when Maine families are falling out of the middle-class, when experienced workers need new skills to secure good paying jobs in a modern economy, and when state… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2017 The Sycamore Institute: Tennessee State Budget Primer
It is our pleasure to present to you the Sycamore Institute’s first Tennessee State Budget Primer. We hope this report – the information, the graphics, and the discussion – will… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2017 South Dakota Budget and Policy Institute: HB 1182 Raising teacher salaries – how much would taxes change for your household?
The combination of property tax savings and sales tax increases will affect each household differently. Raising sales tax by 1/2 cent will raise about $107 million dollars. And decreasing property tax… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2017 Florida Policy Institute: Florida’s Shadow Budget Needs Greater Scrutiny
Silent spending, in the form of numerous kinds of tax breaks, costs Florida billions of dollars in lost revenue a year. Unlike money spent through the state budget process, this… -
ITEP Work in Action February 2, 2017 Florida Policy Institute: A Citizens Guide to Florida’s Budget
Florida is known worldwide as a vacation destination, but those of us who live here know that the way Florida takes in and spends money affects every aspect of our… -
ITEP Work in Action February 1, 2017 Kentucky Center for Economic Policy: Refugees, Immigrants Important to Kentucky and the Economy: An Overview of the Research
From the promise to build a wall paid for by tariffs on Mexican imports and uncertainty about what will happen to DACA (which allows undocumented immigrants whose parents brought them… -
ITEP Work in Action February 1, 2017 Georgia Budget & Policy Institute: Georgia Stands to Lose Millions from Crackdown on Young Immigrants
The potential for harsher federal immigration policies under the new presidential administration poses special concern for young Georgians whose parents brought them to the United States as children. A new… -
ITEP Work in Action February 1, 2017 Georgia Budget & Policy Institute: Young Immigrants Vital to Georgia’s Workforce, Healthy Economy
Potential harsher federal immigration policies under the new presidential administration pose special concern for young Georgians whose parents brought them to the United States as children. A new federal crackdown… -
ITEP Work in Action January 30, 2017 Idaho Center for Fiscal Policy: House Bill 67
The Idaho Legislature is considering a proposal that would cut top income tax and corporate tax rates. The bill will also eliminate the income tax on the first $750 of… -
ITEP Work in Action January 30, 2017 New Mexico Voices for Children: NM’s Working Families Tax Credits
As a group, those who claim the EITC and WFTC pay a large share of their incomes in taxes. In fact, in addition to the federal payroll taxes they pay,… -
ITEP Work in Action January 30, 2017 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Creating a Safeguard Rebate Is Key to Equitable Property Tax Reform
This is the fourth in a series of schmudget blog posts about property taxes in Washington state and the role they play in funding basic K-12 education. Any reform… -
ITEP Work in Action January 30, 2017 Open Sky Policy Institute: Some facts about LB 337 — the governor’s tax plan
Below are some facts regarding, LB 337, the governor’s income tax cut plan: The example middle-class Nebraska taxpayer used to roll out the plan would not receive a tax cut under… -
ITEP Work in Action January 27, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Common Sense Reform for Working Ohio
Tax modeling from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), a national organization with a sophisticated model of the state tax system, shows that Ohio’s current EITC reaches only… -
ITEP Work in Action January 25, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Tax Cuts Help Create Ohio’s Revenue Crunch
In 2015, the General Assembly approved a two-year budget lasting through this June that cuts taxes by nearly $1.9 billion. When legislators approved those cuts, Policy Matters Ohio asked a… -
ITEP Work in Action January 25, 2017 Policy Matters Ohio: Tax Cuts Help Create Ohio’s Revenue Crunch
In 2015, the General Assembly approved a two-year budget lasting through this June that cuts taxes by nearly $1.9 billion. When legislators approved those cuts, Policy Matters Ohio asked a… -
ITEP Work in Action January 25, 2017 Gov. Hutchinson’s low-income tax plan: A good start, but needs work
Governor Asa Hutchinson’s new tax cut proposal includes a break, at long last, for some of the lowest income working families in our state. The bones of this plan are… -
ITEP Work in Action January 25, 2017 Statement on Governor Hutchinson’s Low-Income Tax Plan
The following is a statement from Rich Huddleston, executive director of Arkansas Advocates for Children and Families: Read more here -
ITEP Work in Action January 24, 2017 The Arizona Center for Economic Progress: Questions and Answers About Arizona’s State Budget and Taxes 2017
State budgets and taxes are the foundation for achieving our common priorities that will lead to more quality jobs, a strong economy, and thriving communities. This publication provides information and… -
ITEP Work in Action January 20, 2017 Washington State Budget & Policy Center: Closing the Tax Break on Capital Gains
A capital gain is the profit an individual receives from the sale of a financial asset. Currently, Washingtonians receive a tax break on the profits they make from the sale…