Newsletter Archive

April 27, 2005

Federal Tax Reform and the States

A Symposium on the Link Between the State and Federal Revenue Systems

Sponsored by: Federation of Tax Administrators, The Heritage Foundation, Multistate Tax Commission, National Conference of State Legislatures, National Governors Association, Tax Analysts, Inc and the Tax Policy Center

May 18, 2005
8:30 am - 4:30 pm
National Press Club
Washington, DC

It's the best kept secret in the current discourse over national tax reform. There is no proposed change to the federal tax system that would not affect state revenues and tax systems?in positive and negative ways. A minor adjustment to the federal code can have major consequences for state revenues. Major changes at the national level can wreak havoc at the state level and create opportunities to improve state tax systems. The decisions made about the federal system can affect the vitality of state governments and their capacity for policy innovation.

This one-day symposium will examine the major approaches to overhauling the federal tax system, which include a national sales tax, value-added tax, business taxes, tax-preferred savings and deductibility, and how they would impact state revenue structures. Nationally recognized tax experts will present their analyses. State and federal policymakers will offer their insights into this complex but critical debate.

The registration fee for the symposium is $100. Complimentary registration is available to congressional staff and press members (who should use the printed registration form). All others can register online.

Agenda:

7:30 am - 8:30 am
  Registration and Coffee

8:30 am - 8:45 am
  Welcome and Introductions
  Ray Scheppach, Executive Director, NGA
  William Pound, Executive Director, NCSL

8:45 am - 9:30 am
  Setting the Stage
  Governor Mark Warner, Virginia, Chair, NGA (invited)
  Senator Steve Rauschenberger, Illinois, President-elect, NCSL (invited)
A governor and a state legislator discuss the importance of tax reform, the inevitable effects of federal reforms on state revenue systems and the need for national policy-makers to factor these effects into their deliberations.

9:30 am - 10:45 am
  National Sales Tax and VAT Proposals
  Moderator: Billy Hamilton, Deputy Comptroller, Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts
  National Sales Tax:Bill Fox, University of Tennessee
  and Matthew Murray, University of Tennessee
  Value Added Taxes: Charles E. McLure Jr., Hoover Institution, Stanford University
  Discussant: Richard M. Bird, University of Toronto

10:45 am - 11:00 am
  Break

11:00 am - 12:15 pm
  Business Tax Reform and Other Proposals, Including the Flat Tax
  Moderator: Dan R. Bucks, Director, Montana Department of Revenue
  Business Tax Reform Proposals: Martin Sullivan, Tax Analysts, Inc.
  and David Brunori, Tax Analysts, Inc.
  Discussant: Thomas S. Neubig, Ernst and Young

12:30 pm - 2:00 pm
  Luncheon Program: The Current Debate in Historical Context
  James R. Thompson, Former Governor of Illinois (invited)

2:15 pm - 3:30 pm
  Deductibility and Tax-Preferred Savings Proposals
  Moderator: Senator Leticia Van de Putte, Texas State Senate
  Deduction for State and Local Taxes: Kim Rueben, Tax Policy Center
  and Len Burman, Tax Policy Center
  Tax-Preferred Savings Vehicles: Bill Beach, Heritage Foundation
  Discussant: Jane G. Gravelle, Congressional Research Service

3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
  Prospects for Reform: The View from Congress
  Moderator: TBA
  Panelists: Congressman Bill Thomas, California (invited)
  Congressman Charles Rangel New York (invited)

4:30 pm
  Adjourn

For more information and registration: http://www.ncsl.org/forum/federaltax.htm

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