The synthetic control method is an increasingly popular method for state policy evaluation. It provides quantitative support for case studies by creating a synthetic control region that simulates what the outcome path of a region would be if it did not undergo a particular policy intervention....
This year, Congress will consider what may be the biggest tax bill in decades. This is one of a series of briefs the Tax Policy Center has prepared to help people follow the debate. Each focuses on a key tax policy issue that Congress and the Trump administration may address. This brief examines...
The election of Donald Trump as president and Republican majorities in Congress have Washington primed for major legislative reforms. But it’s important to keep in mind that what the new government in the nation’s capital does will reverberate in all 50 statehouses. Knowing changes are coming,...
Governments are starting to use taxes to discourage consumption of sugary drinks. Those taxes typically scale with drink volume. But sugar content varies widely. This report analyses the potential benefits and costs of scaling these taxes to sugar content. Taxes based on sugar content reduce...
State workforce and economic development interests naturally align. However, state-level collaboration between economic development and workforce development agencies and activities is not well understood. This paper explores opportunities for collaboration between state workforce and economic...
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...
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...
Every year, the Urban Institute produces hundreds of reports, briefs, webcasts, and blog posts. In this publication, Urban’s State and Local Finance Initiative brings together the latest evidence-based research, data, and solutions with direct relevance for analysts crafting and deliberating...
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...
This report finds that both federal and state income taxes are generally progressive but (1) state systems are much less progressive than the federal system and (2) the degree of progressivity varies widely among the states. Federal income taxes became more progressive following 2012 legislation...
The Synthetic Control Method as a Tool to Understand State Policy
The synthetic control method is an increasingly popular method for state policy evaluation. It provides quantitative support for case studies by creating a synthetic control region that simulates what the outcome path of a region would be if it did not undergo a particular policy intervention....
Repeal of the State and Local Tax Deduction
This year, Congress will consider what may be the biggest tax bill in decades. This is one of a series of briefs the Tax Policy Center has prepared to help people follow the debate. Each focuses on a key tax policy issue that Congress and the Trump administration may address. This brief examines...
State Budgets in the Trump Era
The election of Donald Trump as president and Republican majorities in Congress have Washington primed for major legislative reforms. But it’s important to keep in mind that what the new government in the nation’s capital does will reverberate in all 50 statehouses. Knowing changes are coming,...
The Pros and Cons of Taxing Sweetened Beverages Based on Sugar Content
Governments are starting to use taxes to discourage consumption of sugary drinks. Those taxes typically scale with drink volume. But sugar content varies widely. This report analyses the potential benefits and costs of scaling these taxes to sugar content. Taxes based on sugar content reduce...
State Workforce and Economic Development
State workforce and economic development interests naturally align. However, state-level collaboration between economic development and workforce development agencies and activities is not well understood. This paper explores opportunities for collaboration between state workforce and economic...
State Tax Commissions 2006–2016
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...
How State Tax Commissions Approach Economic Development
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...
Prepping for the New 2016 Session: End-of-Summer Reading for State Budget Analysts
Every year, the Urban Institute produces hundreds of reports, briefs, webcasts, and blog posts. In this publication, Urban’s State and Local Finance Initiative brings together the latest evidence-based research, data, and solutions with direct relevance for analysts crafting and deliberating...
What Do State Economic Agencies Do?
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...
Federal-State Income Tax Progressivity
This report finds that both federal and state income taxes are generally progressive but (1) state systems are much less progressive than the federal system and (2) the degree of progressivity varies widely among the states. Federal income taxes became more progressive following 2012 legislation...