(This article originally appeared in the Stateside Dispatch [1], Progressive States Network's email roundup of the latest state policy news. Sign up to receive the Dispatch in your inbox here. [2])
Governors and lawmakers who call themselves "anti-tax" are kicking off new state legislative sessions by proposing drastic cuts or even the elimination of state income taxes — offset by increases in sales taxes that would hit the middle class and low-income families and which would do nothing to boost state economies:
States with unified conservative control are looking at 2013 as an opportunity to "test" out ideas like eliminating income taxes [3] and relying on sales taxes. [Reuters]
Proposed plans [4] in Louisiana and North Carolina would "offset lost revenue by increasing the states’ flat sales taxes, shifting the burden to the poor." [Stateline]
In Kansas, even some conservatives are questioning [5] Gov. Sam Brownback's "extreme" proposed tax cuts. [New York Times]
And Nebraskans aren't too sure [6] about Gov. Dave Heineman's proposal to eliminate state and corporate income taxes, with some asking "where's the money coming from?" [KCAU]
Kentucky seniors may find themselves a new target [7] for tax increases. [Stateline]
The Center on Budget and Policy Priorities on why replacing state income taxes with increased sales taxes makes no sense [8]. [Off The Charts]