Tag Archive: tax

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    Myth of the Day: Income Distribution is Increasingly Inequitable

    Andrew Bender | April 24, 2013 | Add a comment

    One of the most prevalent claims, voiced particularly loudly by progressive groups, is that the United States has become a nation of have’s and have-not’s.  Progressives rely heavily on graphs like the one below to show that the top earners in America have enjoyed greater and greater wealth, while the … »

  • Government Accountability Office Releases Annual Waste Report

    Andrew Bender | April 22, 2013 | Add a comment

    Every year, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) releases a report, first commissioned by Sen. Tom Coburn, detailing instances of waste and duplication by federal agencies.  This year the waste totaled $95 billion. For some perspective, the first year of sequestration cuts totaled $85 billion.  This report begs the question, why … »

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    Happy Tax Freedom Day!

    Ben Wilterdink | April 18, 2013 | Add a comment

    Each year, the Tax Foundation releases a report on Tax Freedom Day – the day when the annual tax burden is paid off and people are able to keep their income. This year, that day is April 18. The calculation is a measurement of the total amount Americans earn in … »

  • Myth of the Day: Lower Tax Rates are Bad for the Economy

    Andrew Bender and Will Freeland | March 5, 2013 | Add a comment

    Our blog post on Myth #1 explained why it is untrue to assume that increased government spending (economic stimulus proposals in particular) leads to increased economic growth.  Today’s myth strikes at a related assumption: lower tax rates are bad for the economy in a recession and always lead to lower … »

  • Center on Budget and Policy Priorities: Long on Opinion, Short on Research

    ALEC Blog Team | February 20, 2013 | Add a comment

    The Left-wing Center for Budget and Policy Priorities (CBPP) is out with a new essay attacking the economic basis for low tax, free-market, limited government policy proposals like those laid out in Rich States, Poor States. In reality, CBPP’s paper is a case study in poor research methods, self-referentialism, and confirmation bias. The … »

  • Calling for Excessive Cell Phone Taxes? Please Press One

    ALEC Blog Team | February 20, 2013 | Add a comment

    By Michael Lambert If you’re subscribing to a cell phone in Washington State, you might want to consider becoming an Oregonian, where lower cell phone taxes are markedly cheaper. According to a recently released study by the Tax Foundation, American consumers pay on average 17 percent in cell phone taxes … »

  • Myth of the Day: Increased government spending stimulates the economy during recessions

    Ben Wilterdink and Will Freeland | February 14, 2013 | Add a comment

    As state legislatures consider fundamental tax reform this session, ALEC’s Center for State Fiscal Reform recently released Tax Myths Debunked, a study that clarifies seven main misconceptions about tax policy. Co-authors Dr. Pozdena, former vice president of research at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, and Dr. Fruits use overwhelming evidence to confirm that … »

  • Preparing for an Uncertain Fiscal Future: What Other States Can Learn From Utah

    ALEC Blog Team | February 12, 2013 | Add a comment

    By: Bob Williams and Kati Siconolfi As sequestration approaches quickly, state legislators should discuss how to provide essential services while facing possible federal aid reductions. While a majority of the states depend on federal funds, and this trend is increasing, Utah provides a great example on preparing for an uncertain … »

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    ALEC Releases New Report: Tax Myths Debunked

    ALEC Blog Team | February 6, 2013 | Add a comment

    Across the country, states are seeking new ways to become more competitive and enhance economic growth. Unfortunately, economic prosperity can be elusive, as some “well-known” policy prescriptions fail to deliver the growth that they promise. Unfortunately, misconceptions about taxes are all too prevalent in public policy debates. ALEC’s newest report, … »

  • The California Sand Trap

    Ben Wilterdink | February 5, 2013 | Add a comment

    Pro golfer Phil Mickelson might become the next victim of California’s new high tax rates. In a press conference recently he explained that he felt targeted by the federal and state governments for being a successful high earner. He later walked back the comments for public relations reasons but his … »

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