Almanac of American Politics: on Tax Reform


Larry Hogan: My predecessors imposed 40 tax increases over 8 years

Hogan's policy agenda has remained tightly focused on pocketbook issues, consistent with the 2014 campaign in which he tapped into voters economic unease by pointing a finger at the state's tax structure and repeatedly accusing Gov. O'Malley and Lt. Gov. Brown of imposing "40 consecutive tax increases" (including tolls and fees as well as taxes) over eight years.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2018 Maryland Governor race Oct 5, 2015

Robert Bentley: Freeze property taxes for homeowners

Bentley entered politics in 1998, but lost a state Senate race by 57 votes. Four years later he handily captured a seat in the state House of Representatives. He advocated for conservative causes, such as lowering taxes and he was the driving force in revising the state's organ donor laws. Never known as a rhetorical firebrand, Bentley opted for a low-key, mild-mannered style. He was reelected in 2006 and in his second term introduce a constitutional amendment to freeze property taxes for homeowners.
Source: Almanac of American Politics on 2018 Alabama Governor race Oct 5, 2015

George Pataki: Phase out estate and gift taxes

[In his first term, Pataki] called for a three-year phaseout of estate and gift taxes, which send many affluent New Yorkers to Florida; he pushed his STAR school tax relief plan to rebate taxes and give more aid to schools. He stayed aloof from Senate President Joseph Bruno’s crusade to end state-wide rent controls, brokering a compromise which left controls intact in Manhattan.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jul 6, 2000

Jeb Bush: Voter approval of tax increases; cut taxes by $1B

[In his campaign], Jeb Bush called for fewer appeals for death row inmates and speedier executions, said Florida should withdraw from AFDC and replace it with limited temporary assistance, and called for school choice and demanded voter approval of all state and local tax increases.

In his first 100 days, Bush’s legislative agenda met with stunning success. He passed a school voucher plan, got longer prison terms for gun-toting criminals, and instituted a $1 billion tax break.

Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jan 28, 2000

Tom Ridge: Cut taxes as governor by $2.6B

Ridge’s hallmark as governor has been cutting taxes: He pushed tax cuts in each of his first five years in office, and claims that altogether they cut taxes by $2.6 billion. In the process he cut state spending growth in half and increased the Rainy Day fund from $30 million to $700 million. In 1997 and 1998 he moved to cut the state income tax on lower-income families; there is now no state income tax on families of four with income under $25,000.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jan 28, 2000

Tom Ridge: 60% legislative supermajority for raising taxes

In 1999 he pushed a package of $273 million in cuts in corporate taxes, the capital stock and franchise tax, the natural gas tax and the personal income tax. He even proposed a 60% legislative supermajority for raising taxes.
Source: National Journal, the Almanac of American Politics Jan 28, 2000

  • The above quotations are from Almanac of American Politics, by Grant Ujifusa and Michael Barone.
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2020 Presidential contenders on Tax Reform:
  Democrats running for President:
Sen.Michael Bennet (D-CO)
V.P.Joe Biden (D-DE)
Mayor Mike Bloomberg (I-NYC)
Gov.Steve Bullock (D-MT)
Mayor Pete Buttigieg (D-IN)
Sen.Cory Booker (D-NJ)
Secy.Julian Castro (D-TX)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Rep.John Delaney (D-MD)
Rep.Tulsi Gabbard (D-HI)
Sen.Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
Gov.Deval Patrick (D-MA)
Sen.Bernie Sanders (I-VT)
CEO Tom Steyer (D-CA)
Sen.Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Marianne Williamson (D-CA)
CEO Andrew Yang (D-NY)

2020 Third Party Candidates:
Rep.Justin Amash (L-MI)
CEO Don Blankenship (C-WV)
Gov.Lincoln Chafee (L-RI)
Howie Hawkins (G-NY)
Gov.Gary Johnson(L-NM)
Howard Schultz(I-WA)
Gov.Jesse Ventura (I-MN) 		Republicans running for President:
Sen.Ted Cruz(R-TX)
Gov.Larry Hogan (R-MD)
Gov.John Kasich(R-OH)
V.P.Mike Pence(R-IN)
Gov.Mark Sanford (R-SC)
Pres.Donald Trump(R-NY)
Rep.Joe Walsh (R-IL)
Gov.Bill Weld(R-MA & L-NY)

2020 Withdrawn Democratic Candidates:
Sen.Stacey Abrams (D-GA)
Mayor Bill de Blasio (D-NYC)
Sen.Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)
Sen.Mike Gravel (D-AK)
Sen.Kamala Harris (D-CA)
Gov.John Hickenlooper (D-CO)
Gov.Jay Inslee (D-WA)
Mayor Wayne Messam (D-FL)
Rep.Seth Moulton (D-MA)
Rep.Beto O`Rourke (D-TX)
Rep.Tim Ryan (D-CA)
Adm.Joe Sestak (D-PA)
Rep.Eric Swalwell (D-CA)
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Page last updated: Dec 02, 2021