'Tax Policy'
Aiding States to Stimulate the National Economy
As Congress debates a stimulus to the economy in the wake of the housing bust, many economists are urging federal leaders to make aid to state governments a core part of the package. While direct tax rebates for individuals can help, it will not do much for the economy if states are forced to cut […]
Tax and Cash “Incentives” for Industry in Alaska
The state of Alaska has a wide range of mechanisms to give tax and cash “incentives” to industry. These range from state loans and loan guarantees to revenue bond financing and a variety of tax incentives. See a summary of Alaska’s giveaways to industry and compare them with all the other state incentive plans in […]
Is Wal-Mart Paying Fair Property Tax Assessments?
The first-ever investigation of Wal-Mart’s local property tax records finds that the retail giant systematically seeks to minimize its payment of taxes that support public schools and other vital government services. That is the key finding of Rolling Back Property Tax Payments, a report released October 10 by Good Jobs First, a non-profit, non-partisan research […]
Innovative State Policies: How Would They Fare in Alaska?
Yes, it is an odd name–The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy–but the organization features some very innovative ideas. DMI describes itself in this way:
The Drum Major Institute for Public Policy is a non-partisan, non-profit organization dedicated to challenging the tired orthodoxies of both the right and the left. The goal: progressive public policy […]
Federal Tax: Who Pays, and Where Does It Go?
It’s tax time, and what better place to go for an explanation of tax policies and related issues than the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. See, for example, the just-released Where do Our Tax Dollars Go? Despite my dismay with the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, I feel a modicum of wellbeing […]
Three-Way Conversation about Anchorage Property Taxes
Late February of this year I sent the following letter to the Anchorage Daily News editor:
I am baffled by the Daily News’ righteous indignation expressed in the Feb. 14 editorial, “Tax shift no answer.” The Fairbanks City Council approved a resolution asking legislators to shift more property tax responsibility to commercial properties and away from […]
Alaskans Pay $780,600,000 for Iraq War
According to the National Priorities Project, Alaskans soon will have collectively paid $780,600,000 for the war in Iraq. This figure is based on a total cost of $456 billion. Around $378 billion has already been spent or allocated by Congress, and Congress will debate additional war spending. The National Priorities Project estimates around $78 billion […]
Property Tax Reform
Governor Corzine Highlights Property Tax Reform in New Jersey
In his state of the state address, New Jersey Governor Corzine outlined a proposed property tax reform package and emphasized property tax breaks that are fairly progressive in terms of who benefits. The proposed package would reduce property taxes by 20% for those with incomes less […]