by Dan Mitchell | Jul 10, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Economics, Government Spending, States, Taxation
There’s an old saying that states are the laboratories of democracy. But since I’m a policy wonk, I focus more on the lessons we can learn from the states about public policy. Such as the importance of limiting the destructive nature of taxes. Such as the economic...
by Dan Mitchell | Jun 5, 2015 | Blogs, Economics, States, Taxation
If you’re a libertarian or a small-government conservative, it’s quite likely you believe both these statements. Instead of picking winners and losers with special preferences and penalties, the tax code should be simple and fair, treating all economic activity...
by Dan Mitchell | Jun 1, 2015 | Blogs, Economics, States, Taxation
Every so often, I get asked why I’m so rigidly opposed to tax hikes in general and so vociferously against the imposition of new taxes in particular. In part, my hostility is an ideological reflex. When pressed, though, I’ll confess that there are situations – in...
by Dan Mitchell | May 23, 2015 | Blogs, States, Tax Competition, Taxation
Two years ago, I shared a map looking at how heavily wine was taxed in different states. What is showed was that you shouldn’t sip your Chardonnay or guzzle your Merlot in Kentucky. Unless, of course, you wanted to give politicians a lot more money to spend (or you...
by Dan Mitchell | May 12, 2015 | Big Government, Blogs, Taxation
In the past week, I’ve written two columns (here and here) extolling the benefits of federalism. So I now feel compelled to warn that my support for decentralization is not motivated by some Pollyannish view of sub-national governments. State and local...
