Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)

Illinois

Rutland Herald: Tax inequities

January 8, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) The economic recovery is not occurring as quickly as previously hoped, according to the latest economic reports, which means that when legislators convene in January, the job before them will be daunting. Last week legislators acknowledged that state government faces an $88 million deficit in the coming budget cycle, even without […]

Dallas Morning News: Report: Poor Texans shoulder heavy tax burden

January 8, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) 07:44 AM CST on Thursday, November 19, 2009 By ROBERT T. GARRETT / The Dallas Morning [email protected] AUSTIN – Texas’ low-income residents bear heavier tax burdens than their counterparts in all but four other states, a new study shows. The bottom fifth of Texas earners pay just over 12 percent of […]

The Commercial Appeal: Report says Tennessee’s tax system among nation’s most regressive

January 8, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) By Richard Locker Originally published 11:28 a.m., November 18, 2009Updated 12:07 a.m., November 19, 2009 NASHVILLE — The Tennessee tax system is the fourth most regressive among the states, with lower-income families paying a higher portion of their income in state and local taxes than do more affluent households, according to […]

Northeast Pennsylvania Business Journal: Pennsylvania among ‘Terrible 10’ most regressive tax states

January 7, 2013

(PDF of the Original Post) STAFF REPORTPublished: November 19, 2009 Working families in Pennsylvania pay a far higher share of their income in state and local taxes than their wealthiest counterparts, according to a new study by the Institute on Taxation & Economic Policy (ITEP). In 2007, middle-class earners paid nearly double the share of […]

Silver Pinyon Journal: Nevada in top ten for most regressive tax policies

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Written by Dee Holzel Thursday, November 19 2009 06:06 WINNEMUCCA — The problems with Nevada’s tax structure was best described during the last legislative session as such: we’re playing kick the can with tax policy – kicking the daunting task of restructuring the tax system to the next session. And that […]

The St. Louis American: Prop A and the poor: Sinquefield’s tax policies would shift burden to sales tax and low-income

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Posted: Friday, October 1, 2010 12:00 am Prop A and the poor: Sinquefield’s tax policies would shift burden to sales tax and low-income By Rebecca S. Rivas of The St. Louis American St. Louis American | 0 comments For Missourians who make $17,000 or less, about six percent of their income […]

Missouri Record: ‘Fair Tax’ Anything But Fair

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) November 18, 2010 08:00 AM An issue likely to be debated in the 2011 Missouri Legislative Session is the proposal to replace state income tax—both individual and corporate—with a greatly expanded sales tax. Proponents of the legislation refer to it as the “fair tax,” but Missourians should think twice because it […]

St. Louis Business Journal: Missouri would not fare well under “fair tax”

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) by Amy Blouin Date: Friday, December 3, 2010, 5:00am CST If there’s an issue “most likely to be debated” in the 2011 Missouri legislative session, it’s a proposal to replace state income taxes – both individual and corporate — with a greatly expanded sales tax. Proponents refer to it as the […]

Frederick News Post: Huntin’ millionaires

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Elizabeth Marsh Cupino Originally published December 10, 2009 Set up a roadblock. Put out an APB. Maryland’s comptroller has reported that the number of millionaires in the state dropped by 30 percent in 2008 and that some wealthy residents might be trying to make a break for it. We can’t have […]

Des Moines Register: Aim for fairness in state tax policy

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) The Register’s editorial The political debate over taxes these days ranges from “We will not raise taxes” to “We will cut taxes.” There is little interest, it seems, in raising taxes, but there should at least be interest in the idea that taxes ought to be fair. By fair, that means […]

The Des Moines Register: Ideology differences carry over to Culver, Branstad tax plans

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) 1:45 AM, Oct. 30, 2010 | Written byJASON CLAYWORTH Here’s what other groups are saying about state tax cuts. IOWA CHILD & FAMILY POLICY CENTER: It questions the premise of proposing state tax cuts, saying state government cannot further reduce revenues without harming vital services, such as K-12 education and children’s […]

Chicago Sun-Times: Commentary: Quinn and Hynes both want fairer tax system

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) September 5, 2009 Commentary Last week, when Comptroller Dan Hynes kicked off his campaign for governor, he took a shot at Gov. Quinn, painting him as the guy who wants to burden everyone with an income tax increase. In contrast, Hynes said, he proposes a more “progressive” income tax increase, one […]

NBC Chicago: Tax Report: Combine Quinn, Hynes Proposals

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy: Use Quinn’s plan, then adopt Hynes’ By BJ LUTZ Updated 8:50 PM CST, Mon, Oct 19, 2009 Forget the he said / he said. A research group in the nation’s capital says the best tax policy would be a combination of Democratic Gov. Pat Quinn […]

Chicago Tribune: Tax review says Quinn-Hynes tax-hike hybrid is best for Illinois

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) October 19, 2009 UPDATED by Rick Pearson at 7:02 p.m.; first posted at 4:25 p.m. As the two major Democratic candidates for governor bash each other over competing proposals to raise the state’s income tax, a Washington-based research group has proposed its own method of tax fairness– combining the plans offered […]

Chicago Tribune: Illinois tax increase: Researchers say combine plans by Pat Quinn and Dan Hynes

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Both proposals are ‘complementary,’ says Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy By Rick Pearson and Monique GarciaTribune reporters October 20, 2009 Gov. Pat Quinn and Comptroller Dan Hynes have fought for weeks over whose income-tax hike proposal is fairer, but a Washington-based research group said Monday the best answer may be […]

The State Journal-Register: Typical campaign nonsense won’t wash this time

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Posted Nov 24, 2009 @ 12:05 AM Well, it’s officially turkey time. No, not the family-, friend- and food-oriented holiday we call Thanksgiving. Think more the frenetic, fatuous and occasionally flagitious biannual event called “campaign” season. You already can’t turn on a TV or radio without being subjected to negative political […]

NBC Chicago: How to Soak the Rich Without Soaking the Poor, Too

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) The two-point (or more) tax increase making its way through the state legislature has one thing to recommend it. Right now, the super-rich in Illinois — Oprah Winfrey, the Ty Beanie Baby guy, anyone named Pritzker — pay a lower proportion of their income than in any state that levies taxes. […]

Chicago Tribune: Emanuel and Chico gloss over fine print on taxes

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) By Bob Secter, Tribune reporter 9:53 PM CST, February 16, 2011 With city finances in shambles and fiscal straight talk at a premium, one of the final skirmishes of the race for mayor is centering on charges of distortions and misstatements over a tax plan floated by front-runner Rahm Emanuel. Ahead […]

Progress Illinois: A Missed Opportunity On The Sales Tax?

January 4, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) Over the past couple of years, Progress Illinois has reported time and again on the problems with the State of Illinois’ sales tax structure (older posts that touch on variations of this issue can be found here, here, here, here, here, and here). To recap, Illinois has the “narrowest base of […]

Ventura County Star: Commission considers flat tax for California

January 3, 2013

(PDF of Original Post) By Timm Herdt Originally published 04:42 p.m., July 15, 2009 Updated 04:42 p.m., July 15, 2009 SACRAMENTO — With great fanfare early this year, Republican Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger and Democratic legislative leaders appointed a blue-ribbon commission to recommend fundamental changes in California’s tax structure. Among the chief charges given to the […]

New Haven Advocate: Connecticut Can Still Raise Taxes on the Rich, Even if Washington Doesn’t

December 21, 2012

Original Post By Mark EnglerMay 24, 2011 In 2009, when then-New York Gov. David Paterson signed a temporary tax increase on the state’s wealthiest individuals — one of the so-called “millionaire’s taxes” that have passed in recent years in select states across the country — at least one multimillionaire was not happy. Rush Limbaugh proclaimed […]

USA Today: Critics say states should discontinue tax holidays

December 21, 2012

Original Post August 6, 2011 by Jayne O’Donnell The back-to-school sales tax holidays that start Friday in many states may be popular with politicians and retailers, but critics say revenue-starved states should abandon them. Seventeen states plan to give shoppers a break on sales taxes for school-related purchases this season. Massachusetts and Arkansas added a […]

AOL Daily Finance: The True Cost of State Sales Tax Holidays

December 21, 2012

Original Post August 12, 2011 by Sheryl Nance-Nash ‘Tis the sales-tax-holiday season, when states give the gift of tax-free shopping for clothing, computers and other back-to-school supplies. It seems like a good thing: Take a little pressure off the pockets of cash-strapped parents, make retailers smile and make politicians look good for supporting tax relief. […]

Chicagoist: Illinois Can’t Afford Back-to-School Sales Tax Holiday

December 21, 2012

by Chuck Sudo August 7, 2011 How deadbeat of a state is Illinois? So much so that the state won’t be offering a sales tax holiday for back-to-school sales this year because we need the money to pay bills. Suspending the sales tax holiday may not be a bad thing. They’re evidently great for retail […]

Chicago Sun Times: Cash-strapped Illinois rejects back-to-school tax holiday

December 21, 2012

August 7, 2011 Gannett news service Unlike last year, there will be no “back-to-school” sales tax holiday in Illinois this year. State Sen. Toi Hutchinson (D-Chicago), who was chief sponsor of the state’s holiday last year, says Illinois “just cannot afford it this year.” New York was the first state to enact a back-to-school sales […]