Author Archives: Stephen D. Haner

About Stephen D. Haner

Stephen D. Haner is Senior Fellow for State and Local Tax Policy at the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. He may be reached at [email protected].

Time to Cut Taxes

Posted on July 7, 2021 by Stephen D. Haner

If Virginia ended the fiscal year June 30 with a general fund cash surplus of $2 billion, almost 10 percent of its annual budget, that means taxes are too high. Period. The debate for the 2021 political season should be how to cut taxes, and how much. Continue reading →

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Northam Administration Still Avoiding Discussion of TCI

Posted on June 15, 2021 by Stephen D. Haner

Why do Virginia’s leaders run away from the Transportation and Climate Initiative? Could it be because the first state legislature to consider it, in reliably Democratic Connecticut, just adjourned without even taking a vote on the proposed carbon tax compact, despite strong support from Democratic Governor Ned Lamont? Continue reading →

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Northam Regs Out of Step With Reality

Posted on June 7, 2021 by Stephen D. Haner

Despite the stunning and rapid success of the vaccines in arresting the spread of COVID-19, if you enter a Virginia workplace you go back in time to the pre-vaccine era of doubt and fear. Virginia acted in haste in adopting … Continue reading →

Posted in Regulation, State Government | 1 Comment

With Tax Revenue Exploding, Virginia Should Boost Standard Deduction, Index for Inflation

Posted on May 19, 2021 by Stephen D. Haner

One of the big financial winners with the May 1 Virginia minimum wage increase is the state itself, because the entire raise is subject to a 5 percent state income tax. With its low standard deduction and personal exemption amounts, … Continue reading →

Posted in Economy, Government Reform, State Government, Taxes | 1 Comment

Northam Tax Harvest Expands Again

Posted on May 12, 2021 by Stephen D. Haner

With the release yesterday of the April 2021 Virginia state revenue report, covering ten months of the fiscal year, a correction in an earlier report becomes necessary. Continue reading →

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