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Center awards first
fellowship for progressive tax reform
MARCH 7, 2006 -- The Center for a Better South today announced
it has awarded its first policy fellowship to the Georgia
Budget and Policy Institute to produce a detailed series of
policy initiatives that outline progressive tax reform ideas for
Southern states.
"This is an exciting partnership for the Center because it
will help to develop critical thinking for ideas on how Southern
states can make their tax codes more progressive," said Center
President Andy Brack. "In June when we expect to release this
first report, we will distribute it to editorial writers, opinion
makers and political leaders throughout the region to energize debate
across the region."
Why this
approach is needed now
Budget debates in legislatures across the region are stale and
worn. The Center's progressive tax reform book will help guide discussion
on tax policy initiatives in new ways by providing alternatives
that highlight how states can create a more progressive, fairer
tax system that allows them flexibilities in providing services.
Example: One section of the paper likely will focus on
the idea of states cutting millions of dollars of sales tax exemptions.
By cutting exemptions, a state would be able to generate millions
of dollars in extra revenue. It then would have extra capacity
to spend money on state priorities, such as educational improvement
or expanded health coverage. Alternatively, it could reduce the
state's sales tax rate, which would make the state more competitive
from an economic development perspective.
You can
help now
This project will give thinking leaders something they can stand
for, which should help to change the intellectual dynamics in debate
in our democratic society. We encourage you to consider donating
to the Center to help fund its efforts to develop this intellectual
"thoughtware."
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