Local Tax Policy: A Federalist Perspective - Softcover

Brunori

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0877667179 ISBN 13: 9780877667179

Publisher: Urban Institute Press, 2003

Synopsis

Local governments are struggling to raise revenue for public services, but their fiscal autonomy has been declining for decades. And by ceding financial control to the states, localities have ceded political control over their affairs. In tandem, local governments are losing control over property tax, their most stable and reliable source of revenue. In Local Tax Policy, David Brunori explores the roots of the current fiscal crisis, evaluates various relief proposals, and champions the property tax, offering a blueprint for strengthening this oft-vilified instrument. The second edition has been updated to reflect new tax policy developments since the publication of the first edition in 2003.

About this title

About the Author:

David Brunori is a journalist, author, educator, and lawyer who specializes in tax and government issues. Brunori is executive vice president of editorial operations at Tax Analysts and is contributing editor for State Tax Notes magazine. He is the author of The Politics of State Taxation, a weekly column focusing on state tax and budget policies. He is a research professor of public policy at The George Washington University where he teaches tax and public finance courses. Previously he served as a trial attorney with the U.S. Department of Justice and practiced law with a Washington, D.C., law firm. He has written several books on state and local tax policy and has published in numerous professional and academic journals. He earned bachelor s and master s degrees from The George Washington University and his law degree from the University of Pittsburgh School of Law.

Review:

Brunori provides an insightful and readable treatment of local taxation, focused on the critical role of the often-maligned property tax. In a time of budgetary travails, Brunori's book offers a clear-eyed perspective on the roles and forms of local taxation in our federal fiscal system. --Wallace E. Oates, Professor of Economics, University of Maryland, on the first edition

David Brunori's book should be read by every public official who must deal with the fiscal challenges of running local governments. He identifies the structural challenges that face local governments in America. Of course, there are no quick fixes to these problems but Brunori's thoughtful suggestions will help everyone interested in local issues understand the challenges and consider the potential paths to reform. --Gary C. Cornia, Marriott School of Management, Brigham Young University, and President, National Tax Association, on the first edition

An amazingly accessible commentary on local tax policy that is a 'must read' for legislators and their staff. Brunori once again challenges the conventional wisdom and shakes up our thinking with his brilliant and perceptive insights. --Richard D. Pomp, Professor of Law, University of Connecticut, on the first edition

About this edition

• Publisher: Urban Institute Press
• Publication date: 2003
• ISBN 10: 0877667179
• ISBN 13: 9780877667179
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 162