Emboldened GOP Seeks Steep Reduction Or Outright Elimination Of State Income Taxes

[Lakhota]

By Sean Murphy

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A year after Republicans swept into office across the country, many have trained their sights on what has long been a fiscal conservative's dream: the steep reduction or even outright elimination of state income taxes.

The idea has circulated among academics and think-tank researchers for years. But it's moving quietly into mainstream political discourse, despite the fact that such sweeping changes would almost certainly mean a total rewiring of tax systems at a time when most states are still struggling in the aftermath of the recession.

"I think there's going to be more action that way," especially as Republican governors release their budget plans, said Kim Rueben, an expert on state taxation at the Brookings Urban Tax Policy Center.

Last year, GOP lawmakers in many states quickly went to work on a new conservative agenda: restricting abortion, cracking down on illegal immigration, expanding gun rights and taking aim at public-employee unions.

Emboldened by that success, the party has launched income tax efforts in Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina. But it's not clear how all those states would make up for the lost revenue, and Rueben said she's not aware of any state in modern history that has eliminated an income tax.

Nine states already get by without an income tax, mostly by tapping other sources of revenue. Nevada and Florida rely on sales taxes that target the tourism industry. Alaska has taxes on natural resources, and Texas imposes substantial property taxes. The other five states are: New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming.

But in the rest of the country, income taxes pay for bedrock government services, including roads and bridges and schools and prison systems.

More: Emboldened GOP Seeks Steep Reduction Or Outright Elimination Of State Income Taxes

 

[Lakhota]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

 

[Annie]

My state taxes are much higher than federal, yet few services are available and the debt of the state, (IL) is untenable. Bankrupt now seems a good idea.

 

[Chris]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

I think you just defined the Republican mission statement.

 

[Charles_Main]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

There are more than a Couple States with No Income Tax Already. They seem to do ok. Why does everything have to be your way or the high way man? They will make up for it in other ways. Sales, Tax, License Fees, Tickets, Etc etc. Plus the Draw of No state income Tax will bring a flood of new Residents to pay Sales tax, and New Businesses to hire and employ them.

 

[Lakhota]

Are state governments trying to eliminate themselves?

 

[Mr. H.]

I believe that the states of Tennessee and Florida have no income tax.
There are probably others.

It's about being fiscally responsible, balancing the books, and controlling spending.

 

[Quantum Windbag]

By Sean Murphy

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A year after Republicans swept into office across the country, many have trained their sights on what has long been a fiscal conservative's dream: the steep reduction or even outright elimination of state income taxes.

The idea has circulated among academics and think-tank researchers for years. But it's moving quietly into mainstream political discourse, despite the fact that such sweeping changes would almost certainly mean a total rewiring of tax systems at a time when most states are still struggling in the aftermath of the recession.

"I think there's going to be more action that way," especially as Republican governors release their budget plans, said Kim Rueben, an expert on state taxation at the Brookings Urban Tax Policy Center.

Last year, GOP lawmakers in many states quickly went to work on a new conservative agenda: restricting abortion, cracking down on illegal immigration, expanding gun rights and taking aim at public-employee unions.

Emboldened by that success, the party has launched income tax efforts in Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina. But it's not clear how all those states would make up for the lost revenue, and Rueben said she's not aware of any state in modern history that has eliminated an income tax.

Nine states already get by without an income tax, mostly by tapping other sources of revenue. Nevada and Florida rely on sales taxes that target the tourism industry. Alaska has taxes on natural resources, and Texas imposes substantial property taxes. The other five states are: New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming.

But in the rest of the country, income taxes pay for bedrock government services, including roads and bridges and schools and prison systems.

More: Emboldened GOP Seeks Steep Reduction Or Outright Elimination Of State Income Taxes

Oklahoma takes money out of your check if you make more than $1000 a year, I would think you would support letting poor people pay lower taxes.

 

[Lakhota]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

There are more than a Couple States with No Income Tax Already. They seem to do ok. Why does everything have to be your way or the high way man? They will make up for it in other ways. Sales, Tax, License Fees, Tickets, Etc etc. Plus the Draw of No state income Tax will bring a flood of new Residents to pay Sales tax, and New Businesses to hire and employ them.

I'm just asking some questions, crazy baby...

 

[rdean]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

I think you just defined the Republican mission statement.

Eric Cantor's 'callous' disaster-aid refusal
The House majority leader says any relief money should be offset by spending cuts. Is he right — or is it cruel to talk accounting as a storm crashes in?

Eric Cantor's 'callous' disaster-aid refusal - The Week

I go with callous.

Cantor's district was hit with first an earthquake and then a hurricane. It will be interesting what his opponent uses the next time Cantor runs for office.

 

[Lakhota]

Where's that "flood of new residents" coming from? Other states?

 

[Mr. H.]

Illinois would probably have no state income tax, if it weren't for Chicago.

 

[Oddball]

I have many questions about this, including where will disaster relief funds come from? Or is it each man, woman, and child for themselves?

There are more than a Couple States with No Income Tax Already. They seem to do ok. Why does everything have to be your way or the high way man? They will make up for it in other ways. Sales, Tax, License Fees, Tickets, Etc etc. Plus the Draw of No state income Tax will bring a flood of new Residents to pay Sales tax, and New Businesses to hire and employ them.

I'm just asking some questions, crazy baby...

...and accepting no answers that don't align with your socialist confirmation biases.

 

[Lakhota]

There are more than a Couple States with No Income Tax Already. They seem to do ok. Why does everything have to be your way or the high way man? They will make up for it in other ways. Sales, Tax, License Fees, Tickets, Etc etc. Plus the Draw of No state income Tax will bring a flood of new Residents to pay Sales tax, and New Businesses to hire and employ them.

I'm just asking some questions, crazy baby...

...and accepting no answers that don't align with your socialist confirmation biases.

Do you...?

 

[Avatar4321]

Good luck to them.

 

[Oddball]

I'm just asking some questions, crazy baby...

...and accepting no answers that don't align with your socialist confirmation biases.

Do you...?

My default bias is to the freedom of the individual and his right to the fruits of his labors...Yours it to the moocher, thug and layabout.

As soon as a collectivist looter like you can come up with a compelling argument as to how the parasite deserves the products of my virtues more so than I do, I'll be interested to hear it.

 

[Lakhota]

...and accepting no answers that don't align with your socialist confirmation biases.

Do you...?

My default bias is to the freedom of the individual and his right to the fruits of his labors...Yours it to the moocher, thug and layabout.

As soon as a collectivist looter like you can come up with a compelling argument as to how the parasite deserves the products of my virtues more so than I do, I'll be interested to hear it.

You aren't worthy of wiping my ass, much less knowing anything about me.

 

[auditor0007]

By Sean Murphy

OKLAHOMA CITY -- A year after Republicans swept into office across the country, many have trained their sights on what has long been a fiscal conservative's dream: the steep reduction or even outright elimination of state income taxes.

The idea has circulated among academics and think-tank researchers for years. But it's moving quietly into mainstream political discourse, despite the fact that such sweeping changes would almost certainly mean a total rewiring of tax systems at a time when most states are still struggling in the aftermath of the recession.

"I think there's going to be more action that way," especially as Republican governors release their budget plans, said Kim Rueben, an expert on state taxation at the Brookings Urban Tax Policy Center.

Last year, GOP lawmakers in many states quickly went to work on a new conservative agenda: restricting abortion, cracking down on illegal immigration, expanding gun rights and taking aim at public-employee unions.

Emboldened by that success, the party has launched income tax efforts in Idaho, Kansas, Maine, Missouri, Ohio, Oklahoma and South Carolina. But it's not clear how all those states would make up for the lost revenue, and Rueben said she's not aware of any state in modern history that has eliminated an income tax.

Nine states already get by without an income tax, mostly by tapping other sources of revenue. Nevada and Florida rely on sales taxes that target the tourism industry. Alaska has taxes on natural resources, and Texas imposes substantial property taxes. The other five states are: New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Washington and Wyoming.

But in the rest of the country, income taxes pay for bedrock government services, including roads and bridges and schools and prison systems.

More: Emboldened GOP Seeks Steep Reduction Or Outright Elimination Of State Income Taxes

It's laughable; the wealthy pay the least in state taxes as it is. Now they want an even bigger reduction. One of these days, middle class Republicans are going to wake up to the snow job they have bought into.

 

[auditor0007]

I believe that the states of Tennessee and Florida have no income tax.
There are probably others.

It's about being fiscally responsible, balancing the books, and controlling spending.

Texas doesn't have any either, and the lowest income workers pay four times the taxes, as a percentage of income, then the highest income earners. It's a great plan if you are rich. Sucks if you are poor.

 

[Oddball]

Do you...?

My default bias is to the freedom of the individual and his right to the fruits of his labors...Yours it to the moocher, thug and layabout.

As soon as a collectivist looter like you can come up with a compelling argument as to how the parasite deserves the products of my virtues more so than I do, I'll be interested to hear it.

You aren't worthy of wiping my ass, much less knowing anything about me.

I know that you don't even have the nerve of a common crook, who can at least muster up the nerve to rob me to my face...A mugger who also won't cynically nag me about the poooooor and the chiiilllllldrrrreeeennnnn.

You're hardly even worthy of my contempt.