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2020 State Tax Ballot Initiatives and the Future of State Tax Policy

They may not draw as much attention as elections for office, but Election Day 2020 will also feature a number of important votes on tax-related ballot initiatives in states around the country. What are the ballot measures taxpayers should be paying attention to this year and what could they mean for the future of state tax policy? Tax Foundation Vice President of State Projects Jared Walczak and Senior Policy Analyst Katherine Loughead break down measures ranging from recreational marijuana legalization in New Jersey and Montana to income tax increases in Illinois and Arizona.

Arizona Proposition 208 Threatens Arizona’s Status as a Destination for Interstate Migration

Significantly raising the income tax through Proposition 208 will only serve to make Arizona less competitive, especially at a time when individuals and small businesses are already struggling. If Arizona is looking for a long-term way to increase education funding, it would do well to avoid overburdening struggling taxpayers and look toward more broad-based, stable sources of revenue.

5 min read
Oregon tobacco tax, Oregon nicotine tax, Oregon vaping tax

Taxation of Tobacco and Vapor Products on the Ballot in Oregon

Oregon’s Measure 108 introduces a risk of increased tax avoidance and evasion activity as consumers of the products often procure cigarettes from lower tax jurisdictions. At $3.33 per pack, Oregon would have the highest excise tax on cigarettes in the region.

5 min read
Colorado Amendment B Gallagher Amendment property tax limit

Colorado Voters to Decide Fate of Longstanding Property Tax Limit

One of the many policy questions Colorado voters will be tasked with deciding this November is whether to amend the state constitution to repeal the Gallagher Amendment, a provision within the Colorado constitution that, since 1982, has limited residential property to 45 percent of the statewide property tax base. Repealing the Gallagher Amendment would cause residential property taxes to rise over time but would also enhance the neutrality and overall competitiveness of the tax code.

4 min read
marijuana tax gross receipts tax

Voters in Four States to Vote on Recreational Marijuana

Legalizing recreational marijuana is a hot topic in many states where the state budgets are in disarray because of the coronavirus pandemic and new revenue sources are being sought.

7 min read