Over the past month, there has been increased discussion amongst Alabama lawmakers about what state government should do with the historic $2 billion revenue surplus it amassed heading into fiscal year 2023. So far, the two main proposals have been using ...
Alabamians deserve permanent tax relief, not just a one-time check
In fiscal year 2022, Alabama’s state government collected over $13 billion in total revenue. It marked the fourth straight year the state has had a revenue surplus of at least $600 million. The $2 billion revenue surplus of 2022 marked a 15% growth compar ...
Permanent tax relief is ‘very important’ to Alabamians
Appearing Friday night on Alabama Public Television’s “Capitol Journal,” State Senate President Pro-Tem Greg Reed (R-Jasper) said that Alabama’s record $2 billion revenue surplus was a “one-time thing” should not be spent like “water through our fingers.” ...
Another ‘record’ surplus in 2022 proves that Alabama can afford historic tax relief
Last Friday marked the end of the 2022 fiscal year. For the Alabama state government, it was another record-breaking year. In 2022 the state took more tax dollars from citizens than ever before, ending the year with a $2 billion revenue surplus. In total, ...
Lower taxes, better education are keys to attracting business to Alabama, not incentives
The Alabama Jobs Act is set to expire July 31, 2023, meaning that economic incentives could be a major topic of interest during next year’s regular legislative session. The chatter has already begun. Last month, Alabama Secretary of Commerce Greg Canfield ...
Excuses are easy — Meaningful policy change takes bold leadership
As summer turns to fall, the drumbeat for the Alabama Legislature to enact meaningful tax reform legislation has picked up its pace. But there is still no action — only discussion of temporary relief and the same old excuses as to why long-term reforms wi ...
Alabamians deserve more than a one-time tax rebate
“I think they deserve it.” That is what House Majority Leader Nathaniel Ledbetter (R-Rainsville) said last week when asked about the possibility of using state government’s record revenue surplus to provide Alabamians with a one-time tax rebate.And he is ...
Alabama lawmakers can look to Missouri for bold tax reforms
This week, Missouri lawmakers will head back to work for a called special legislative session that will have one purpose: to enact the largest income tax cut in state history. If approved, Missouri will join at least 32 other states th ...
Colleges and universities must increase the value of an education
The annual cost of a college education has increased by 182% in the past 40 years. But are college graduates getting more for their money? It’s a fair question to ask in the wake of President Joe Biden’s announcement that up to $20,000 in student loan de ...
Systemic problems making it difficult to both work in and attract new workers to Alabama
At the end of July, Alabama’s labor force participation rate was 57.2%. The national average was 62.1%. Just four states rank below Alabama. When Alabama’s labor participation rate is low, we all pay the price. Businesses continue to struggle with staffin ...