Discusses how recent changes in federal policies have adversely affected cities. Modifications of the state block grant system, tax laws, reductions in federal support for welfare programs, and a massive federal debt have all hurt urban economies. (AM)

In response to concerns over funding for school construction, the state of Texas has implemented two programs to assist school districts with construction-related debt. This paper examines whether these programs have accomplished their objectives of reducing property taxes (the Existing Debt Allotment (EDA) program) and increasing capital outlays…

This study projects estimates of changes in State tax patterns resulting from the implementation of a modified foundation grant and a percentage equalizing grant. The resulting estimates show increased progressivity of the State tax structure under both types of grants. (Author)

This document reports the results of a survey designed to determine the extent to which recommendations made to the States by the Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (ACIR) in 1963 had been carried out. The survey contained 149 questions tackling such basic issues as constitutional restrictions in property tax administration,…

The 1986 Tax Reform Act is a positive step toward improving the plight of low-income families; however, it will not produce dramatic effects. The tax burden will be more equitable and low-income housing may increase, but a better way to help the poor is to develop a comprehensive set of assistance policies. (VM)

This report is based on information collected from state revenue departments, budget offices, and legislative staff on tax revenue during the 3-month period from October to December 2000 compared with the same period in 1999. Comparing tax revenue between the two periods produced the following results: the slowest growth in 7 years (4 percent), a…

This paper examines recent efforts in Arkansas to nullify property taxes. It describes how anti-tax citizens, whose push for a constitutional amendment in 1998 was thwarted by the state supreme court, have vowed to collect enough signatures to place the amendment on the 2000 ballot. The proposed amendment will abolish ad valorem taxes upon real…

Summarizes the activities of the 97th Congress on taxes. Reviews 1981 enactments and 1982 proposals regarding tax cuts, tax increases, indexing of tax brackets, interest earnings, depreciation, and business incentives. Examines tax administration problems and flat-rate tax proposals and discusses the progressive income tax. (Author/RW)

Appears that school desegregation was integrally connected with the decline in financial support in South Carolina's majority Black district. (Author/IRT)

Section 170 of the 1954 Internal Revenue Code is discussed with regard to the consequences of various types of inter vivos charitable gifts. Frequent complications occur when the donor claims the gifts as deductions on his income tax. Available from: the University of Richmond School of Law, Richmond, Virginia 23173. (LBH)

Points out that, although the analysis of the imposition of an excise tax is widely used in economics courses, the consequences of a change in the tax rate are different and ignored. This article presents an effective way to teach about such a change. (GG)

Recent challenges to the tax-exempt status of private colleges and universities in Pennsylvania result from the convergence of two trends: an aging population that changes the economic balance, and a shift in case law that heretofore favored charities. If the challenges continue, higher education will feel significant negative consequences. (MSE)

During the 1980s Alaska's state and local governments spent two to three times more per capita than governments in other states but taxed individuals and businesses only about half as much. They were able to do this because high petroleum revenues paid most government expenses. Petroleum revenues began declining in the 1980s, and by the year 2000,…

This report is a study of the degree of equalization of school district revenues and tax rates in Minnesota, with emphasis on changes that have occurred over recent years. The report was prepared by the research staff of the Minnesota Senate and House of Representatives. The study places emphasis on the role of school district property wealth in…

This report contains the results of an extensive study into State and local tax revenue potentials for the 15 Southern Regional Education Board (SREB) States. It identifies both the degree of current use and the potential for increased use of (1) general and selective sales and gross receipts taxes, (2) death and gift taxes, (3) property taxes,…