We are no longer living in the world of Steinbeck’s dismal Grapes of Wrath. As the Dust Bowl destroyed millions of farms, the government stepped in to help the struggling industry to ensure the survival of the country. Fast forward to today, the government is still shilling out $16 billion in subsidies despite most farms […]
Taxation
Real Clear Health: Imposing High Taxes on E-cigarettes Misses the Bigger Picture
Despite academic research showing e-cigarettes are 95 percent less harmful than combustible cigarettes, lawmakers and public health “advocates” continue to wage a war on vaping, pushing for higher taxes on e-cigarettes throughout the U.S. If policymakers are serious about curbing the high economic and human cost of smoking, they should not enact high taxes on […]
Inside Sources: E-Cigarettes and Cigarettes Aren’t the Same; Don’t Tax Them the Same
The rapid growth of the e-cigarette industry has not escaped the attention of policymakers looking to capitalize on a promising source of government revenue — but advocates of higher taxes on e-cigarettes have lost sight of the bigger picture. The misguided tax proposals spreading across the country will lead to worse health outcomes and greater […]
Washington Examiner: Federal Commuter Benefits Require Overdue Updates for the Sharing Economy
As the Federal Government subsidizes mass transit and parking, Federal workers should be allowed to spend their benefits in the manner that best suits them — including the use of the sharing economy. With federal commuter benefits attracting and retaining a broader pool of employee talent, it is time that the system reflects the diversity […]
ACI Joins an International Coalition Letter Against the Recent G20 Digital Tax Proposal
With 39 organizations from 19 countries having signed, this coaltion letter sends a strong message that the international community understands that this is a tax that will reduce innovation, increase costs upon consumers and small businesses, and substantially weaken the global economy. You can read the letter here — in English or in Spanish. […]
Sugar Taxes are Ineffective, Evidence Shows
It seems straightforward: Taxing sugary beverages makes them more expensive, reducing consumption and leading would-be soda-guzzlers to lead healthier lives. Obesity declines, as do the myriad health conditions associated with a sugar-rich diet. Success! That’s the argument being made in jurisdictions around the world — including here in the U.S. — in favor of taxes […]
Congress Should Reject Proposal to Re-Impose Airline Regulations
A coalition of taxpayer and consumer groups is urging the U.S. Senate to reject a proposal to reimpose federal price control regulations on air travel that have long been proven to hurt consumers and drive up costs for taxpayers. The so-called “FAIR Fees Act,” which is currently part of the Senate’s Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) […]
ACI Joins Coalition in Support of the Business Activity Tax Simplification Act
A number of states are trying to tax out-of-state business sales. However, Congress has proposed a solution that will prevent the collection of taxes on remote sales. You can read the coalition letter here.
Inside Sources: Arizona Leads the Way on Occupational Licensing Reform
For years, despite compelling evidence that burdensome occupational licensing rules hurt most workers and consumers, such restrictions only grew more onerous and complex. That’s finally beginning to change, with Arizona leading the way. You can read this op-ed at Inside Sources.
Unapologetic Supporters of High Taxes on Assets and Incomes
In most states we are accustomed to taxes on assets, but in some states, taxes on property are so punitive that they lead many taxpayers to consider relocating to a less hostile state. State income taxes may add even stronger reasons to migrate. For example, the state income tax rates imposed on long term capital […]