Taxes
After several years of rapid growth, state budgets are downsizing
For most states, 2025 represents a return to more typical economic conditions after an atypical period for their budgets.
States, cities consider ‘mansion taxes’ to fund affordable housing
From sales taxes to real estate transfer taxes, governments are desperately trying to identify dedicated funding tracts for homelessness and housing initiatives.
Gas taxes can’t pay for roads much longer, but Amazon deliveries might
More states could follow Colorado and Minnesota in putting a fee on retail deliveries.
$1 trillion a year in tax breaks goes out the door. Are states keeping track?
A new report from the Volcker Alliance highlights the lack of transparency around tax expenditures, and calls on states to better monitor whether the tax breaks are achieving their intended effects.
In tax code ruling, U.S. Supreme Court declined to open ‘Pandora's box’
Justices sided with the government, avoiding a decision that could have upended the tax code and cost state and local governments trillions of dollars.
The great Salt Lake City tax tradeoff
In a few weeks, the city council will be voting on a 0.5% sales tax to support economic development downtown. But it’s not the money that is drawing all the attention, it’s what the city is giving up.
What makes a city ideal for office-to-housing conversions?
It’s the state and local leaders who can work creatively with restrictive building codes and tax incentives, one expert says.
More cities are seeing budget gaps: Here’s what not to do
A growing number of cities are having to make tough decisions this spring in order to balance next year’s budgets.
California is about to tax guns more like alcohol and tobacco—and that could put a dent in gun violence
COMMENTARY | Gun deaths and injuries aren’t just tragic—they’re expensive, too.
State, local govs crack down on menthol cigarettes by pumping prices up
Setting minimum retail prices and increasing taxes can help officials address public health concerns surrounding menthol cigarettes.
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As property tax bills rise, states look for long-term solutions
Lawmakers in the Mountain West seek to provide permanent tax relief without harming local revenue.
New Maryland law enables local jurisdictions to impose higher taxes on vacant properties
The legislation aims to reduce the number of lots and houses that sit vacant for years on end in an effort to solve the state's affordable housing shortage.
Virginia's 'tech tax' ignites debate on business taxes
Many states are extending sales tax to digital services, but the Virginia Senate’s attempt to expand it to cover business-to-business transactions raised eyebrows.
A range of emerging fiscal risks could disrupt state budgets
Tomorrow’s demographic, environmental, and technological trends require planning and action today.
Can the snarky ‘Save Our Yachts’ campaign save Washington’s capital gains tax?
The long-fought-for and hard-won tax has survived its legal challenges. Now it must survive the ballot.
Marijuana tax revenues fall short of projections in many states, including Colorado
COMMENTARY | As the market matures both the price of marijuana and tax revenues associated with its sale will likely drop further in the future.
Can compromise be reached in two state budget debates?
Taxes and affordable housing are holding up budgets in Virginia and New York. Instead of threats, the governors in each state appear to be trying to find common ground—for now.
New Jersey senator proposes doubling casinos’ online wager tax rates
Change would more than double revenue streams that brought in $414M last year.
Senate at an ‘impasse’ over restoring child tax credit
Republicans in the chamber oppose the way the credit is calculated, making the passage of the tax package approved by the House in February uncertain.
States love March Madness. That’s a problem for many.
As more states have legalized sports betting, they’ve also seen a dramatic uptick in gambling addiction.
