Democrats are betting that they can get voters to go along with big tax increases as long as they ostensibly hit only “the rich” and businesses. In this episode of What’s Ahead, we look at three state referendums that will test this hypothesis.
California’s Proposition 15 would remove caps on taxing commercial real estate above a certain value. It would raise taxes on these entities by some $10 billion. Who would pay these new levies? Small businesses would be hard hit with higher rents.
Arizona’s Proposition 208 would boost the state’s top income tax rate by almost 80%.
Illinois has a referendum that would replace the state’s low, flat income tax with a progressive system that would slam higher-income earners. Added to the state’s existing taxes, the referendum would make Illinois the most heavily taxed state in the country, with the exception of New York, New Jersey and California.
If these referendums are passed, clutch your wallet—there will more coming.
Steve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
Steve’s newest project is the podcast “What’s Ahead,” where he engages the world’s top newsmakers,
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Steve Forbes is Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media.
Steve’s newest project is the podcast “What’s Ahead,” where he engages the world’s top newsmakers, politicians and pioneers in business and economics in honest conversations meant to challenge traditional conventions as well as featuring Steve’s signature views on the intersection of society, economic and policy.
Steve helped create the recently released and highly acclaimed public television documentary, In Money We Trust?, which was produced under the auspices of Maryland Public television. The film was inspired by the book he co-authored, Money: How the Destruction of the Dollar Threatens the Global Economy – and What We Can Do About It.
Steve’s latest book is Reviving America: How Repealing Obamacare, Replacing the Tax Code and Reforming The Fed will Restore Hope and Prosperity co-authored by Elizabeth Ames (McGraw-Hill Professional).
Steve writes editorials for each issue of Forbes under the heading of “Fact and Comment.” A widely respected economic prognosticator, he is the only writer to have won the highly prestigious Crystal Owl Award four times. The prize was formerly given by U.S. Steel Corporation to the financial journalist whose economic forecasts for the coming year proved most accurate.
In both 1996 and 2000, Steve campaigned vigorously for the Republican nomination for the Presidency. Key to his platform were a flat tax, medical savings accounts, a new Social Security system for working Americans, parental choice of schools for their children, term limits and a strong national defense. Steve continues to energetically promote this agenda.