Recently, excise taxes have made headlines across the country. Soda taxes have sparked debate from Seattle to Philadelphia. Pennsylvania has expanded casino gaming in search of more revenue. Here in D.C., City Council members are considering an 80 percent increase in taxes on cigarettes and vapor products.
What do all these proposals have in common? An increasing reliance by states and localities on industry-specific taxes to raise revenue. Traditionally, “sin” taxes have been an easier political sell for lawmakers seeking to balance their budgets. But are these taxes working as advertised?
Join us at the Tax Foundation offices on February 15th at 12 noon, or on Facebook Live at 12:15 PM, for a lunch event discussing the budget and behavioral implications of leaning on selective taxes to fund the government.
Panelists will include:
- Reid Wilson, National Correspondent, The Hill
- Todd Nesbit, Assistant Professor of Free Enterprise and Entrepreneurial Economics, Ball State University
- Richard Auxier, Research Associate, Tax Policy Center
Scott Drenkard, Tax Foundation Director of State Projects, will moderate.