Author Blog Budget and Taxes Policy Areas Wesley Tharpe Lawmakers Wise to Reject Reckless Income Tax Measures March 25, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe | 1 Comment on Lawmakers Wise to Reject Reckless Income Tax Measures This year’s General Assembly produced no shortage of big debates, with subjects from religious exemptions to rape kits grabbing statewide and even national headlines. But beneath the surface lurked a serious threat to Georgia’s well-being that didn’t make it onto many front pages or the late night shows. A pair of tax-slashing proposals, House Bill […] Read more » Bond rating Budget & Taxes Income Tax State Budget State Taxes
Blog Budget and Taxes Policy Areas Tax cut proposal to benefit wealthiest Georgians, jeopardize funding for schools, roads and more March 4, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin | 1 Comment on Tax cut proposal to benefit wealthiest Georgians, jeopardize funding for schools, roads and more Twin income tax cut proposals that promise a big tax break for wealthy Georgians and little for everyone else are careening toward legislative approval this month. If enacted, House Bill 238 and Senate Resolution 756 will stymie Georgia’s investment in quality public schools, hospitals, services for children and seniors, and more for years to come. […] Read more » State Budget State Taxes tax cuts tax shift
Author Blog Budget and Taxes Policy Areas Wesley Tharpe Threat to Georgia’s Finances Gains Steam as Constitutional Amendment to Slash State Income Tax Nears Crossover Day February 26, 2016 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe Most Georgia families stand to lose if twin proposals to slash the state income tax stay on track to pass the General Assembly this year. Midnight Monday Feb. 29, or crossover day, is the target for supporters of a constitutional amendment to drastically shift the state away from a balanced revenue system that consistently delivers […] Read more » State Budget State Taxes
Author Budget and Taxes Library Policy Areas Reports Wesley Tharpe Senate Resolution 756 threatens to disrupt Georgia’s long-term finances February 26, 2016 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe Senate Resolution 756 threatens to undermine Georgia’s ability to remain an attractive state for families and businesses. Passing the amendment creates a rigid formula in Georgia’s constitution that inflicts a series of never-ending automatic revenue cuts based on arbitrary targets. This formula is harmful to Georgia’s growth, especially if coupled with House Bill 238’s proposal to […] Read more » Budget & Taxes Income Tax State Budget State Taxes tax cuts Wesley Tharpe
Author Budget and Taxes Library Policy Areas Reports Wesley Tharpe Slashing Income Tax Delivers Meager Benefit to Most, Jeopardizes Public Services February 26, 2016 / January 17, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe Bill Analysis: House Bill 238 (LC 34 4895S) Georgia lawmakers are considering a pair of proposals that offer a miniscule tax cut to the majority of Georgia families and a massive benefit to the highest-income individuals who need it least, while jeopardizing lawmakers’ ability to meet the needs of a rapidly growing state. The first […] Read more » Bill Analysis Budget & Taxes State Budget State Taxes tax cuts taxes
Author Blog Budget and Taxes Inclusive Economy for Immigrants Policy Areas Wesley Tharpe Sensible Reforms Can Boost Undocumented Immigrants’ Tax Contribution February 25, 2016 / April 2, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe Undocumented immigrants in Georgia pay a significant share of state and local taxes each year and providing those families a path to legal status can increase their tax payments even more. That’s the key takeaway from a new analysis from the nonprofit, nonpartisan Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP), which takes a close look […] Read more » Budget & Taxes State Taxes taxes Undocumented immigrants
Blog Budget and Taxes Cash and Safety Net EITC Day 2016 Highlights February 1, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin The Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) is a successful federal tax credit and powerful tool to support working families struggling to make ends meet. Georgia has a golden opportunity to strengthen working families, support small businesses and boost local economies with a state EITC. EITC Awareness Day was Friday, Jan. 29. In case you missed […] Read more » economic mobility EITC State Taxes
Blog Budget and Taxes Wesley Tharpe Worker Justice Georgia’s Golden Opportunity to Strengthen Pro-Work Tax Credit January 28, 2016 / January 15, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe The federal Earned Income Tax Credit, or EITC for short, is widely viewed as a triumph of sound public policy. Available to Americans since 1975 and expanded by presidents from both parties, the EITC provides an extra boost to families of modest means who are trying to work their way to the middle class. Many […] Read more » Earned Income Tax Credit EITC State Taxes Wesley Tharpe
Blog Wesley Tharpe Making Work Pay Should be a 2016 Priority December 28, 2015 / January 16, 2020 by Wesley Tharpe | 1 Comment on Making Work Pay Should be a 2016 Priority Georgians today are working harder and for more hours than ever before. Yet they still struggle to get ahead. Many of the new jobs our economy is adding don’t pay much and take-home pay for workers in a wide range of fields is flat, or falling, compared to past levels. Low wages create a steep […] Read more » EITC Minimum Wage State Taxes Wesley Tharpe
Budget and Taxes Cash and Safety Net Support Georgia veterans through tax credits that work November 10, 2015 / January 15, 2020 by GBPI Admin | 1 Comment on Support Georgia veterans through tax credits that work Guest Blogger Veterans Day should be about more than a chance to get a good deal on a new flat screen TV ahead of the holidays, although there’s nothing wrong with getting a bargain. A break on the sticker price also benefits the men and women who serve our country, many of whom struggle financially […] Read more » EITC State Taxes Veterans