Tax Policy Center

state and local issues

State and Local Issues: TaxVox

Why Do States Tax Illegal Drugs?

Say you came into possession of some illegal drugs. What’s your next move? According to some states, you should immediately pay the state’s tax on...
November 18, 2020Nikhita AiriAravind Boddupalli
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

Big Tax Hikes and Lots of Sin: Your Guide to 2020’s State Ballot Measures

There are a lot of state ballot measures affecting tax policy this year.
October 27, 2020Richard C. Auxier
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

Lights Flashing, Sirens Blaring: State and Local Governments Need Federal Aid

Congress is nowhere near an agreement on how much additional federal aid to send to state and local governments. It’s been a worrying situation for months. Now, we should be alarmed.
August 5, 2020Renu Zaretsky
Federal Budget and Economy: TaxVox

There Will Be No Showdown Over The Next COVID-19 Stimulus Bill. Pelosi Already Won.

Looking forward to the great partisan battle over the next COVID-19 relief bill? You may be disappointed. Nancy Pelosi already has won.
July 28, 2020Howard Gleckman
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

No State is Immune From COVID-19’s Economic And Fiscal Fallout

The 50 states are diverse, but in the COVID-19 pandemic era, they share a key challenge: An economic and fiscal crisis of a size and...
May 27, 2020Richard C. Auxier
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

McConnell’s Attempt To Blame States For COVID-19 Budget Shortfalls Is Wrong And Dangerous

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) recently said he is “in favor of allowing states to use the bankruptcy route,” instead of Congress providing them...
April 24, 2020Richard C. Auxier
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

Census of Governments Illustrates Declining Aid to Localities, Other Trends in State and Local Finance

COVID-19 is placing an unprecedented strain on local economies, hospital systems , health departments , and budgets . To weather the storm and continue to...
April 21, 2020Megan Randall
State and Local Issues: TaxVox

COVID-19 And The Collapsing Job Market

How rapidly is the economy collapsing in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic? In just the past four weeks, total weekly unemployment insurance claims were...
April 16, 2020Lucy DadayanDonnie Charleston