The diversity of state programs makes comparison of fiscal activities across states and over time difficult. This paper compares ongoing surveys that provide data about state revenues and expenditures from the Census Bureau, National Association of State Budget Officers, National Conference of...

When the Great Recession created unexpected budget deficits, many states used temporary tax increases to maintain revenues for vital government services. Because they are generally less disruptive than immediate spending cuts, temporary tax increases can be a useful tool for overcoming short-...

April is the most important month of the year for individuals who owe federal and state income taxes and for governments that rely on income taxes as a major source of revenue. Because personal income tax receipts account for about 45 percent of federal government receipts and more than 33...

In this "Marketplace" commentary, Len Burman, director of the Tax Policy Center, explains why presidential candidate Mike Huckabee's FairTax proposal is misnamed.

Education is a key pathway out of poverty, yet schools that primarily serve minority students often fail to provide the educational opportunities available in predominantly white schools. A series of state court cases has addressed one cause of that disparity, the dramatic funding differences...

In a contribution to the New York Times' Room for Debate, Kim Rueben argues if the tax rate for marijuana is too high, people will continue to buy weed from the guy on the street. However, setting the tax rate too low leaves revenue on the table and use might boom.

The latest edition of the Tax Policy Center's State and Local Finance Initiative's State Economic Monitor finds that revenue growth is accelerating in most states but many jurisdictions faced strong economic headwinds going into the recent partial government shutdown and potential default. In...

The inaugural edition of the state economic monitor reviews the health of various aspects of state economies, including employment, housing, state finances, and economic growth. This monitor documents key economic conditions through June 2013 in all 50 states, and also serves as a valuable...

The latest edition of the Tax Policy Center's State and Local Finance Initiative's State Economic Monitor reports that states are still struggling to emerge from the lingering recession. The good news is that nearly all states experienced economic growth in 2013, and only one state has an...

The latest edition of the Tax Policy Center's State and Local Finance Initiative's State Economic Monitor finds the economic recovery continues to improve slowly. No state unemployment rate increased from last year in February but long term unemployment remains a problem and is above average in...