Ted Cruz

: TaxVox

All's fair in debates and taxes...

Bernie Sanders: Medicare, and tax increases, for all. The Democratic presidential hopeful proposed a $1.38 trillion universal health care plan and the tax hikes aimed to pay for it, just before Sunday’s Democratic debate. Sanders would impose a 2.2 percent income-based premium on all households,

January 19, 2016Renu Zaretsky

Campaigns, Proposals, and Reforms: TaxVox

Why You Should Pay Attention to the Presidential Candidates’ Tax Proposals

The presidential election is nearly a year away, but many candidates have already rolled out detailed tax reform plans. On the GOP side, we’ve seen proposals from Jeb Bush (the subject of a rigorous Tax Policy Center analysis ), Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Donald Trump, among others. Among Democrats

December 15, 2015Harvey Galper

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Could We Get the Tax Code Down to Three Pages? Why Would We Want To?

Republican presidential candidates say they want to slash the tax code. It is too big, too complicated, and too laden with provisions to help special interests. They are right. But in today’s world, cutting the statute to a few pages would only result in ceding massive new authority to the Treasury

November 12, 2015Howard Gleckman

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The GOP Debate: Squabbles Over Refundable Credits, Deductions, and Conservatisim

Last night’s GOP presidential debates ( here’s a transcript of the main event) highlighted some important tax policy contrasts among the candidates. One thought refundable credits are conservative economic policy while another did not. Nearly all would preserve deductions for mortgage interest and

November 11, 2015Howard Gleckman

: TaxVox

Big Talk, Growing Opposition

Can the Senate pass a highway bill? Last night, the Senate finally voted to begin debate on its version of a transportation bill. But it is in for a tough slog thanks in part to two GOP presidential hopefuls. Ted Cruz has threatened to tie the Iran deal to the measure. The Texan wants an amendment

July 23, 2015Renu Zaretsky

Business Taxes: TaxVox

What’s Up With the No Climate Tax Pledge?

Do you know about the No Climate Tax pledge ? I didn’t until I read a column over the weekend by the Washington Post ’s always-interesting Catherine Rampell. The vow is sponsored by Americans for Prosperity, a conservative political advocacy group closely associated with the Koch brothers. And it

June 2, 2015Howard Gleckman

: Daily Deduction

On Flat Taxes, Tax Relief, and Evidence

Flat tax chatter: Just small talk or a deeper conversation? The Hill examines GOP presidential hopefuls Rand Paul and Ted Cruz and their ideas for an across-the-board tax rate. A flat tax will disproportionately benefit higher earners, and even some in the GOP say that makes it a non-starter. But

April 21, 2015Renu Zaretsky

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

Is a Consumption Tax Talk Making a Comeback?

Maybe it’s just because Congress is on spring break and tax wonks don’t have much to talk about, but suddenly the idea of a consumption tax is getting a new look. The tax plan proposed earlier this month by senators Mike Lee (R-UT) and Marco Rubio (R-FL) is one form of the levy. And tax journalists

March 31, 2015Howard Gleckman

: TaxVox

Expensive Plans, ACA Developments, and Exercises in Futility

The Rubio-Lee tax reform plan: Interesting, very expensive, and DOA. The GOP senators offer a framework for a huge tax cut that would add trillions to the debt over the next ten years while moving the revenue code towards a consumption tax. TPC did a preliminary analysis of an early version of the

March 5, 2015Renu Zaretsky

Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

The Day After the 2014 Election: Six Things To Watch In the New GOP Congress

Republicans had a very good day yesterday. But can they translate their ballot-box success into a positive legislative agenda? It won’t be easy but here are six clues: Mitch McConnell : He is a brilliant legislative tactician. We know he’ll use those skills to try to outmaneuver Democratic Leader

November 5, 2014Howard Gleckman