Brief

Nearly all state tax commissions—independent groups that study and make recommendations for improving a state’s tax system—are tasked with improving economic development within the state. Their report introductions include phrases such as “growth-friendly,” “unleash innovation,” and “optimum...

October 16, 2016
Richard C. Auxier
Brief

Tax policy is one of the most challenging and controversial components of state governance. Determining how and from whom to collect revenue involves questions of equity, fairness, efficiency, and simplicity. As a result, states often create special tax commissions before attempting major tax...

October 16, 2016
Richard C. Auxier
Brief

This paper gives an overview of the methodology behind the short- and long-run dynamic scoring of Hillary Clinton’s and Donald Trump’s tax plan proposals. Following the practice of official government estimators, we use a Keynesian model to estimate the short-term effects of policy changes on...

September 16, 2016
Benjamin R. PageKent Smetters
Brief

States spend billions of dollars every year on economic development activities that range from recruiting new businesses to helping local businesses expand. At the heart of each state’s economic development strategy is an agency, department, or government-supported nonprofit that coordinates the...

July 27, 2016
Norton Francis
Brief

In this installment of the Star Forum, experts weigh in on the following question: Senate Finance Committee Chair Orrin G.
Hatch, R-Utah, has announced that he is drafting a proposal in favor of corporate integration. Do you think that corporate integration is a good idea? What factors...

June 20, 2016
Eric ToderAlan Viard
Brief

Former CBO director Doug Elmendorf recently argued that Congress should account for macroeconomic feedback when scoring major tax and spending policies. In this brief, Donald Marron agrees, arguing that CBO and JCT can implement such dynamic scoring in an objective, nonpartisan manner. Dynamic...

June 20, 2016
Donald Marron
Brief

Every state uses a different combination of taxes to fund government services. Some rely more heavily on income taxes, and others see the most revenue from consumption taxes, such as general sales taxes or excise taxes on select goods. The effect of a state’s tax structure on economic...

May 31, 2016
Norton Francis
Brief

In 2004, workers ages 51 to 56 reported a 33 percent chance of working past age 65--up from 27 percent for workers that age in 1992. Expected full-time work after age 62 increased as well. Lower rates of retiree health insurance offers from employers, higher levels of educational attainment,...

December 5, 2006
Gordon B. MerminRichard W. Johnson
Brief

This paper reflects on changes in tax policy in past decades and predicts how tax policy may change under a new president in 2017. The author examines the potential of implementing a carbon tax as a means to raise government revenue and reduce carbon gas emissions.

February 29, 2016
William G. Gale
Brief

Social Security was designed to redistribute income from those with higher lifetime earnings to those with lower lifetime earnings. The reason is obvious: the system was created to ensure an adequate retirement income for the elderly. Less obvious is how Social Security's many provisions...

May 1, 2004
C. Eugene SteuerleAdam CarassoLee Cohen