In general, green taxes are taxes either directly on pollution emissions or on goods whose use causes pollution. In the revenue-raising context, the basic argument for green taxes can be summarized by the adage: “tax waste, not work.” Taxes on labor income discourage workers from engaging in productive activities, and thus hurt society. Taxing waste, by contrast, discourages harmful pollution, and thus benefits society. In addition, the revenue raised from these green taxes can help mitigate the state’s fiscal crisis.

Post-mortems on the 2010 midterm election have quickly segued into forecasts about the 2012 presidential election. Topics under discussion include how durable and cohesive the new Republican House majority will prove to be; who should be regarded as front-runners for the Republican nomination for president; how redistricting will play out in major states and others.

The Medicare Modernization Act became law in 2003, creating a prescription drug benefit for the elderly called Medicare Part D. At the time of its passage, approximately one-third of seniors did not have prescription drug coverage, leaving them prone to financial and medical hardships. About half of those without prescription drug insurance incurred out-of-pocket spending of $1,200 or more per year. Uninsured patients were also more likely to forego buying essential medications.  

For local governments the property tax has long been a reliable
source of significant levels of revenue. Yet, perhaps more than any other tax, the property tax has also long been the source of widespread discontent. In the latest edition of Policy Forum, IGPA professors Nathan Anderson and Daniel McMillen examine some possible reasons why.

Read the Policy Forum.