Special Report No. 164
Key Findings
• Forty-five states face budget shortfalls of varying degrees, totaling approximately $132 billion through fiscal year 2010. However, every state but one expects revenues in 2010 to be higher than in 2006, and all but nine states have seen revenues grow faster than inflationInflation is when the general price of goods and services increases across the economy, reducing the purchasing power of a currency and the value of certain assets. The same paycheck covers less goods, services, and bills. It is sometimes referred to as a “hidden tax,” as it leaves taxpayers less well-off due to higher costs and “bracket creep,” while increasing the government’s spending power. from fiscal years 2006 to 2009.
• States hit hardest are those that relied most heavily on growth in unstable revenue sources like taxes on capital gains, high-income earners, and corporate profits.
• Punitive taxes on unpopular groups, such as smokers, drinkers, or high-income earners, are poor 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. policy and a source of instability because they force a small group of people to pay for government services broadly available to all citizens. Shifting the burden of paying for these programs away from most taxpayers can result in demands for more government than people are actually willing to pay for.
• State and local officials are more frequently using the “Washington Monument” ploy-threatening to cut politically popular services to create pressure for tax increases.
• Broadening tax bases, lowering rates, and eliminating targeted tax credits can generate extra revenue without unduly harming a state’s economic performance.
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