Jackson paper touts Better South ideas

A May 11 editorial in the Jackson Clarion-Ledger pushed the idea of tax reform as outlined, in part, in last year's book on the issue by the Center for a Better South.

"Overhaul," the paper wrote, "is a crying need for Mississippi's crazy patchwork of taxes. But his [Gov. Haley Barbour's] new zeal for tax fairness seems a far cry from his stony opposition over the past two years to doing away with the state's unfair food tax."

The editorial continues by highlighting several ideas in the Center's book, Doing Better: Progressive Tax Reform for the American South:

* Broadening sales tax base and modernize;

* Raising cigarette tax, cutting grocery tax;

* Modernizing state income brackets, and creating a new top rate;

* Eliminating corporate tax loopholes, reviewing rates;

* Indexing personal exemptions, deductions, credits or brackets;

* Rethinking senior tax preferences, based on ability to pay, not age alone;

* Connecting property taxes and ability to pay to shield residents from excessive taxation;

* Conducting a comprehensive performance review to boost government efficiency and improve service.

Other good ideas can be found at the Center for a Better South's Web site: www.bettersouth.org. These are a few for starters.