Tax and Spend

While we wait for the next installment from the Operational Review Teams, here are a few recent articles on taxes and spending that you might enjoy.

Don't go on a state spending spree (Jonathan Williams)

In recent years, most states have experienced surpluses. States wanting to nurture growth are applying at least part of their surpluses to lower tax rates.

Federal Transfer Payments to Low-Income Households Top $17,000 (Scott A. Hodge)

A new Tax Foundation study, "Who Pays America's Tax Burden, and Who Gets the most Government Spending?" shows that the typical low-income household pays $1,684 in total federal taxes, yet receives $17,724 in federal transfer payments alone, not to mention other federal programs such as education and public transportation.1 In other words, the typical low-income household receives $10.53 in transfer payments for every dollar it pays in federal taxes.

Staircase of Tax Plenty Steep (Diana Furchtgott-Roth)

Is our federal tax system fair? Unfair? Two new studies reach opposite conclusions, findings that may be relevant as Congress and voters debate several
pending bills.