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2010 National Taxpayers Conference Annual Meeting

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Download Agenda and Confirmed SpeakersDownload What to Expect in WashingtonDownload Getting to MetroDownload Introductory Letter from the Tax FoundationDownload Introductory Letter from NTC President Randy Nelson

Registration

Agenda Outline

Confirmed Speakers

Hotel Information

What to Expect in Washington

Getting to Metro

Introductory Letters from NTC President Randy Nelson and the Tax Foundation

2010 National Taxpayers Conference Annual Meeting

One Washington Circle Hotel, Washington, D.C.,

September 26-29, 2010

Registration

Click here

Agenda Outline

(subject to change)

Sunday, September 26

6:00 pm to 7:30 pm

Hospitality Welcome

7:30 pm

Special Event: Evening Tour of D.C. Monuments and Sights

(Advance registration required)

Monday, September 27

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 am to 8:45 am

Welcome & Introductory Remarks

8:45 am to 10:00 am

Reports by NTC Member Organizations

10:00 am to 10:15 am

Break

10:15 am to 12:00 pm

Reports by NTC Member Organizations

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Lunch Event

David Brunori, Tax Analysts

1:30 pm to 2:45 pm

Panel

State Pensions:

Findings, Trends, and Solutions

A flurry of new research into what’s behind state pension problems has begun to inform the debate on what to do with these major aspects of state fiscal policy. Experts who have authored these studies will share their insights and analysis.

Josh Barro, Manhattan Institute for Policy Research
Andrew Biggs, American Enterprise Institute
Kil Huh, Pew Center on the States

Bill Ahern, Tax Foundation (moderator)

2:45 pm to 3:00 pm

Break

3:00 pm to 5:00 pm

Roundtable: State Budgets and Fiscal Issues:

Trials and Tribulations of the Recession

Legislators have faced record shortfalls between projected revenues and planned spending, leading to struggles about reprioritizing services and different types of tax increases. Fiscal 2011 may even be a repeat of 2002, the last time states spent less than they had the year before, as infusions of federal money taper off. Experts will share perspectives and facilitate discussion about what states are doing and what they could be doing.

Luke Martel, National Conference of State Legislatures
Brian Sigritz, National Association of State Budget Officers
Bob Williams, State Government Solutions
Jonathan Williams, American Legislative Exchange Council

Joseph Henchman, Tax Foundation (moderator)

5:00 pm to 5:40 pm

Break

6:00 pm to 9:00 pm

NTC Dinner (off-site)

Mansion at O Street, 2020 O Street, NW

(Advance registration required; fee applies for guests)

Tuesday, September 28

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 am to 10:00 am

Presentation

Tax Foundation Research & Trends

Since 1937, the Tax Foundation has produced principled research and analysis of tax issues and the size of the tax burden at all levels of government. Economists and experts from the Tax Foundation will describe findings from Tax Freedom Day by state, the State-Local Tax Burdens report, and the State Business Tax Climate Index, and discuss trends and research on key state tax issues.

Dr. Kail Padgitt, Tax Foundation
Dr. Gerald Prante, Tax Foundation
Mark Robyn, Tax Foundation

Stephen Moret, Secretary of Louisiana Economic Development (moderator)

10:00 am to 10:15 am

Break

10:15 am to 12:00 pm

Panel

Budget & Accounting Transparency: Steps Toward a More Complete Definition and Effective Implementation

Transparent budgets enable taxpayers to understand how spending, tax assessment and collection, and compliance work. Experts will discuss the current state of transparency, what states are doing, and what states can do, including presentations on the use of non-general funds, tax expenditures, public accessibility, and standardized budget information across states.

Mike Barnhart, Sunshine Review
Prof. Richard Dye, University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs
Prof. John Mikesell, University of Indiana
Christopher Pece, U.S. Census Bureau

Dr. Matt Mitchell, Mercatus Center at George Mason University (moderator)

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Lunch Event

Joe Crosby, Council on State Taxation

The Council On State Taxation (COST) is the premier state tax organization representing taxpayers. COST is a nonprofit trade association consisting of over 600 multistate corporations engaged in interstate and international business. COST’s objective is to preserve and promote equitable and nondiscriminatory state and local taxation of multijurisdictional business entities. Joe will discuss recent policy developments and trends.

1:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Free Time! Enjoy Washington

6:00 pm to 8:00 pm

Reception

Chat with fellow NTC members and representatives from Washington’s public policy community

Wednesday, September 29

7:30 am to 8:30 am

Breakfast

8:30 am to 9:45 am

Roundtable Presentations

In the News Tax Issues

Experts will discuss recent developments in excise taxes, Internet taxes, and tax incentives

Charlie Kearns, Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP
Stacey Sprinkle, Verizon

9:45 am to 10:00 am

Break

10:00 am to 11:30 am

NTC Business Meeting

12:00 pm to 1:30 pm

Farewell Lunch Event

Rep. Scott Garrett (R-NJ)

Congressman Garrett is currently in his fourth term in the U.S. House of Representatives, and sits on the House Budget Committee and House Financial Services Committee. A lifelong resident of New Jersey, Rep. Garrett previously served in the New Jersey General Assembly from 1990 to 2002. Garrett has a Bachelors of Arts degree from Montclair State University and a J.D. from Rutgers School of Law-Camden.

Introduction: Scott Hodge, Tax Foundation

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2010 NTC Annual Meeting Confirmed Speakers

Andrew Biggs

American Enterprise Institute

Andrew G. Biggs is a resident scholar at the American Enterprise Institute. From 2008 to 2009 he served as principal deputy commissioner of the Social Security Administration and as secretary of the Social Security Board of Trustees, where he oversaw SSA’s policy research efforts and led the agency’s participation in the Social Security Trustees working group. He has a Ph.D. in government from the London School of Economics.

Michael Barnhart

Sunshine Review

Michael Barnhart is President of Sunshine Review, a non-profit promoting state and local government transparency. Barnhart joined Sunshine Review in 2009, bringing nearly three decades of political and public affairs experience to the position. Prior to joining Sunshine Review, Barnhart served as a Managing Director with Public Strategies, a national public affairs firm; a Communications Director for a Fortune 100 telecommunications firm; a congressional Chief of Staff; and, a congressional Campaign Manager. Barnhart holds a Ph.D. in political science. He is a resident of Alexandria, Va., and a native of Detroit, Michigan.

Josh Barro

Manhattan Institute for Policy Research

Josh Barro is the Walter B. Wriston fellow at the Manhattan Institute focusing on state and local fiscal policy. He is the co-author of the Empire Center for New York State Policy’s “Blueprint for a Better Budget.” He writes weekly on fiscal issues for RealClearMarkets.com and has also written for publications including the New York Post, Investor’s Business Daily, the Washington Examiner, City Journal, and Forbes.com. His commentary has been featured on CNN, Fox News Channel, CNBC, the Fox Business Network, and Bloomberg Television.

David Brunori

TaxA tax is a mandatory payment or charge collected by local, state, and national governments from individuals or businesses to cover the costs of general government services, goods, and activities. Analysts

David Brunori writes The Politics of State Taxation, a column for State Tax Notes. He is a research professor of public policy at George Washington University, where he also teaches state and local tax law. He is the author of several books and articles on state taxation. Before joining Tax Analysts, Brunori was an appellate trial attorney with the Tax Division of the U.S. Justice Department and practiced with a Washington law firm.

Joe Crosby

Council on State Taxation

Joseph R. Crosby is COO and Senior Director, Policy of the Council On State Taxation (COST). Joe is responsible for all aspects of COST’s advocacy. He regularly testifies before state legislatures and other state and national policymaking bodies, such as the Federal Advisory Commission on Electronic Commerce. Joe also frequently speaks to trade and industry groups on tax policy matters. He is often quoted as a state and local tax policy expert in publications such as the Wall Street Journal, the New York Times, the Financial Times, and the Washington Post.

Prof. Richard Dye

University of Illinois Institute of Government and Public Affairs

Richard Dye is a Professor at the Institute of Government and Public Affairs at the University of Illinois at Chicago, and is co-director of IGPA’s Fiscal Futures Project. He is also a Visiting Fellow at the Lincoln Institute of Land Policy and the Ernest Johnson Professor of Economics Emeritus at Lake Forest College. His research and public outreach activities focus on state and local government finance. He received his A.B. from Kenyon College and an M.B.A. and a Ph.D. in economics from the University of Michigan.

Kil Huh

Pew Center on the States

Kil Huh manages the PCS Research and Information staff and agenda. He oversees project teams of researchers, policy analysts and consultants to conceptualize, design, and implement research and analysis across 50 states that inform state policy-focused efforts on a wide range of issues. He holds a bachelor of science in urban regional studies from Cornell University, a master’s degree in urban planning from New York University and both a master’s degree in philosophy and a doctorate of philosophy in urban planning from Columbia University.

Charlie Kearns

Sutherland Asbill & Brennan LLP

Charlie Kearns, a member of Sutherland’s Tax Practice Group, focuses his practice on state and local tax planning, policy and controversy including income, transactional, property and payroll taxes. Charlie also represents Fortune 500 companies on unclaimed property compliance including designing unclaimed property procedures with respect to gift card programs and analyzing the effect of the business-to-business exemption on unclaimed property liability. From 2004 to 2005, Charlie was a Graduate Fellow at the Council On State Taxation (COST) in Washington, D.C.

Luke Martel

National Conference of State Legislatures

Luke Martel is a Policy Associate in the Fiscal Affairs Program at the National Conference of State Legislatures in Denver, Colorado. He has been with NCSL since 2007, and his present work focuses on state budget and tax policy as well as state economic development initiatives. He provides information to legislators, legislative staff, and members of the media, and testifies before legislative committees. Prior to joining NCSL, Luke served as a legislative aide in the Texas House of Representatives. He received his bachelor’s degree in political science from Southwestern University and his law degree from Texas Wesleyan University. He is licensed to practice law in Colorado.

Prof. John Mikesell

University of Indiana

John Mikesell is a professor of public and environmental affairs and director of the Master of Public Affairs Program in the School of Public and Environmental Affairs. Mikesell’s research interests are in sales and use taxation, property taxation and state and local government finance. Mikesell is the recipient of the Waldavsky Award for Lifetime Scholarly Achievement in Public Budgeting and Finance, awarded by the Association for Budgeting and Financial Management. Mikesell was also a World Bank consultant on government finances of countries of the former Soviet Union.

Dr. Kail Padgitt

Tax Foundation

Kail Padgitt is a staff economist for the Tax Foundation. He primarily works with the Center for State Fiscal Policy on the State Business Tax Climate Index as well as developing other measures for the economic incidence of particular taxes. Kail holds a Ph.D and Master’s degree in economics from George Mason University concentrating on the areas of Public Economics, Industrial Organization and Experimental Economics. Kail has taught Public Choice and International Economics at George Mason University.

Christopher Pece

U.S. Census Bureau

Christopher Pece is the Assistant Division Chief for Recurring Programs in the U.S. Census Bureau’s Governments Division. Pece began his career with the Census Bureau in 1998 as an analyst on the Monthly Retail Trade Survey where he played a significant role in the development and implementation of the of the Quarterly Retail E‐Commerce Report. In 2002 he became a manager over the Advanced Monthly Retail Trade Survey (MARTS) and the Manufacturing, Trade, Inventory, and Sales report (MTIS). He joined the Governments Division in 2005 as chief if the State Government Finance Survey, the State Government Tax Collections (STC) survey, and the Quarterly Summary of State and Local Government Tax Revenues (Q‐Tax). He holds a B.S. in economics from St. John’s University and an MA in Philosophy from Bowling Green State University.

Dr. Gerald Prante

Tax Foundation

Gerald Prante is a senior economist at the Tax Foundation. He has done work on both federal and state issues with a special emphasis in data analysis, including microsimulation models and local geographic data. His work has been featured in the New York Times, Atlantic Monthly, the Economist, Wall Street Journal, Washington Post, USA Today, and the New York Post. Gerald holds a Ph.D. in economics from George Mason University with specializations in public finance and industrial organization. He teaches economics at Marymount University in Arlington, Virginia.

Mark Robyn

Tax Foundation

Mark Robyn is Staff Economist at the Tax Foundation. He conducts research on a variety of federal and state tax policy issues. Mark holds a B.S. in applied mathematics from Geneva College.

Brian Sigritz

National Association of State Budget Officers

Brian Sigritz is the Director of State Fiscal Studies for the National Association of State Budget Officers (NASBO) in Washington, D.C. Within NASBO, his responsibilities include tracking and analyzing economic, tax and revenue trends, as well as handling NASBO activities related to performance measures and management, privatization, and disaster response issues. He also monitors the fiscal health of the states and edits and produces the State Expenditure Report annually. Prior to coming to NASBO, Sigritz worked as a legislative aide in the Ohio legislature, served as the legislative liaison to the Mayor of Dayton, Ohio, and has worked as a research assistant for the Center for Washington Area Studies. Sigritz graduated with a Bachelor of Arts from St. Bonaventure University in 2000, and received his Master of Public Administration degree from George Washington University in 2006.

Bob Williams

Evergreen Freedom Foundation

Bob Williams is the Founder and Senior Fellow of the Evergreen Freedom Foundation, and is known as a national expert in the areas of fiscal and tax policies, election reform and disaster preparedness. He received his Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Pennsylvania State University. Bob worked as a GAO auditor of the Pentagon and Post Office before serving five terms in the Washington state legislature and was the 1988 Republican nominee for governor.

Jonathan Williams

American Legislative Exchange Council

Jonathan Williams is the director of the Tax and Fiscal Policy Task Force for the American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), where he works with state legislators and the private sector to develop free-market fiscal policy solutions in the states. Prior to joining ALEC, Jonathan served as staff economist at the non-partisan Tax Foundation, authoring numerous tax policy studies.

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Hotel Information

Please make your hotel reservations by directly calling the One Washington Circle Hotel. Be sure to mention the National Taxpayers Conference or booking number 554960 when making your reservation.

www.thecirclehotel.com

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What to Expect: Washington, D.C. in September

Washington has ample opportunities for recreation, relaxation, shopping, dining, and intellectual pursuit!

The weather in Washington can vary significantly in September. The average daytime temperature sits at 80°, although it is just as likely to be sunny as it is to be cloudy or raining. The average nighttime temperature is 57°.

During your visit to Washington, consider indulging in any and all of the following:

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Getting to Metro

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport is connected directly to Metro’s Yellow and Blue lines. Follow the signs to the covered walkways and into the station.

To From Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport

Use Metro’s Yellow or Blue lines to take you directly to the Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport station. It’s closer to the airport than the parking lots. Use the covered walkway to take you directly into the terminal.

Dulles International Airport

From Dulles International Airport

Coming from Dulles International Airport, connect to Metrorail using Metrobus. For just $6 per person (exact change required), the 5A takes you to Rosslyn station on the Orange and Blue lines with just one stop in between.

You can also take the Washington Flyer bus to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA station on the Orange Line.

To Dulles International Airport

Take Metrobus route 5A from L’Enfant Plaza station (Yellow, Green, Blue, and Orange lines) or the Rosslyn Station (Blue and Orange lines). This Metrobus takes you to the airport for only $6 per person (exact change required).

You can also take the Orange Line to the West Falls Church-VT/UVA station where you can take the Washington Flyer bus service to the airport.

Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport (BWI)

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

From Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport, connect to Metrorail using Metrobus. For just $6 per person (exact change required), the B30 takes you to Greenbelt station on the Green Line.

You can also take a shuttle from the airport to the MARC rail station and take the MARC train to Union Station. From there, you can transfer to Metro’s Red Line.

To Baltimore/Washington International Thurgood Marshall Airport

Take Metrorail to the Greenbelt station on the Green Line. Then, for only $6 per person (exact change required), take the B30 Metrobus to the airport.

You can also take Metrorail from your nearest station to Union Station on the Red Line. From there, take the MARC train to the airport, where a shuttle takes you directly to the airport.

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