by Tom aka Rusty RustbeltThe Unemployment Tax DilemmaWhen the economy is doing well employers pay both state and federal (backup system) unemployment taxes. The rates tend to be reasonable and are levied only on a portion of wages. During recessions the employers who keep workers on are in effect penalized because all rates will likely […]
by Mike Kimel The 1964 Tax Cuts and Economic Growth – Paul Ryan Edition During last week’s Vice Presidential debates, Paul Ryan stated: “Jack Kennedy lowered tax rates, increased growth.” There was some commentary about Biden’s response (“Oh, now you’re Jack Kennedy.”) but just about everyone seems to miss what I think is the important point. Take […]
by Linda Beale If Europe Adds a Financial Transactions Tax, Will We Follow? Has the time come for the US to impose a financial transactions tax? It would have several positive features. First, it would raise revenues, which are sorely needed for everything from climate change action to infrastructure improvements to aid for needy families. […]
David Zetland passes along some income figures via Aguanomics (re posted). (Dan here…There are more American billionaires and millionaires, so not to worry) : Cornelia and I were discussing household income and living standards, and I mentioned that median wages in the US were around $35,000.* She was shocked, saying that they were much higher […]
by Kenneth Thomas New Model Legislation Would be Great First Step Toward Subsidy Reform Yesterday, Good Jobs First released new model legislation to increase the transparency, accountability, and effectiveness of state and local subsidies, which I estimate to total $70 billion per year. If states were to adopt these laws, subsidy administration would improve dramatically, […]
Dean Baker takes note of the code word ‘tweaking’ regarding Social Security, and points us to one aspect of the Grand Bargain thinking apparently in vogue in DC.
Via Salon, here is a short note on an art history textbook students apparently were forced to buy: Kyle Chayka, Hyperallergenic What is this, October!? According to a blog post published by a disgruntled parent of a student, the Ontario College of Art and Design (OCAD) is forcing students to buy an art history book […]
Lynn Parramore notes the part of Social /security in the debates: Watching Wednesday night’s presidential debate, you’d have to be a crack political code reader to know what Obama was really saying about Social Security. It was quick. It was subtle. But it was one of the most telling moments of the debate. First, let’s get […]