Interest in Tax Reform Bubbling

As legislatures across the South prepare to convene, issues pertaining to the adequacy, stability and fairness of state revenue streams continue to attract attention. In recent weeks, the discussions have become more prominent in at least three states across the region:

In Virginia, Gov. Tim Kaine proposed raising the state's income tax threshold to $12,000 for single filers and $24,000 for couples.

In Alabama, Gov. Bob Riley once again is talking about how best to reform the state's revenue system and has released a number of proposals to accomplish those goals.

In North Carolina, an appointed State and Local Government Fiscal Modernization Committee continues to meet to develop a comprehensive set of policy recommendations.

As these discussions unfold, they stand to benefit from the analyses of various reform options contained in the Center for the Better South's 2006 book, "Doing Better: Progressive Tax Reform in the American South."