Pete Buttigieg on Tax Reform

	Pete Buttigieg on Tax Reform Democratic Presidential Challenger; IN Mayor

Move from fuel taxes to mileage fees to fund roads

The federal government paid for its share of the road network using proceeds from a federal gas tax. That money was put in a special "trust fund." Congress hasn't raised the per-gallon rates since 1993. Meanwhile, vehicles are becoming more fuel efficient, meaning people have to buy less gas per mile that their cars travel. The trust fund went broke. When Buttigieg ran for president, he said USDOT should come up with a way to move from fuel taxes to mileage fees. Source: Pennsylvania Capital-Star on Biden Cabinet , Dec 26, 2020

The American Dream [is collapsing except in] Denmark

I think that employee ownership of companies is a great idea. I'm not sure it makes sense to command those companies to do it. If we really want to deliver less inequality in this country, then we've got to start with the tax code and we've got to start with investments in how people are able to live the American dream, which is in serious decline. Number one place to live out the American dream right now is Denmark. Source: 9th Democrat 2020 primary debate, in Las Vegas Nevada , Feb 19, 2020

April: raise top tax rate; October: "soft-pedals" wealth tax

Last spring, he declared his support for a wealth tax and welcomed the idea of raising the top income tax rate from its current 37 percent to 49.9999 percent. These days, as he pivots to pick up the moderate voters abandoning Biden, "Mayor Pete" seems to be soft-pedaling positions that might brand him as any sort of class warrior. At the October candidate debate, he rushed away from an opportunity to explain his case for a wealth tax. Source: The Nation magazine on 2019 Democratic primary , Nov 19, 2019

Financial transactions tax, wealth tax, and estate tax

Mayor Pete Buttigieg has criticized the 2017 tax reform bill signed by President Trump, saying it just provided tax cuts for the wealthy--again, nothing new when it comes to the 2020 Democratic presidential candidates. However, the mayor has hinted at a few tax increases that he would consider as president, including:

Higher income tax rates for the top brackets;
A "wealth tax" on the richest Americans;
A carbon tax;
A financial transactions tax; and
Eliminating unspecified corporate tax breaks.

He has also called for a "more equitable use of the estate tax," which could possibly mean lowering the exemption amount back down to pre-2010 levels. Source: Rocky Mengle, finance.yahoo.com, on 2019 Democratic primary , Aug 12, 2019

The wealthy should pay their fair share in taxes

During an interview with CNBC's John Harwood, Buttigieg said "the reality is there are some people who are not paying their fair share. Some people frankly are getting a bit of a free ride on the productive energy of this country and this economy." He said he would consider raising the marginal tax rate for high-earners. Additionally, he said a wealth tax makes sense, as does potentially expanding the estate tax for the biggest and wealthiest estates. Source: Fox Business News on 2020 Democratic primary , Apr 15, 2019