The focus in Washington has now shifted to the fiscal cliff, with the White House and Congress, particularly the House Republicans, staking out negotiating positions on the expiring Bush tax cuts and the looming budget sequester. The White House’s firm opening salvo—and House Speaker John Boehner’s grudging admission that he […] Read more »
Study Questions Tax Breaks’ Effect on Retirement Savings
Every year, the government spends more than $100 billion on tax breaks to encourage Americans to save more for retirement. But a new study suggests such provisions may have little effect on the amount Americans save. … The researchers – Raj Chetty and John N. Friedman of Harvard, Soren Leth-Petersen […] Read more »
Polls offer little guidance for politicians tackling ‘fiscal cliff’
… In one of the most enduring features of Washington’s two years of gridlock over fiscal issues, a flood of pre- and post-election polling shows little change in the public’s divided — and at times conflicted — attitudes about what should be done to avert the $500 billion in tax […] Read more »
The Public, Taxes, and the Fiscal Cliff
An analysis of 39 polls by 17 survey organizations suggests that, in trying to deal with the “fiscal cliff,” public opinion is not going to be very helpful in resolving many of the tough budgetary and tax issues facing Congress and the president. First, there are huge partisan differences among […] Read more »
Obama’s mandate: tax increase on rich
Republican leaders such as Grover Norquist and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) continue to strike a hard line on taxes and revenues, “warning” President Barack Obama that the GOP will not negotiate or compromise when it comes to tax policy and deficit reduction. From an electoral politics standpoint, the […] Read more »
Despite Polarization, Broad Support for Balanced Approach in Budget Debate
… Although Republican voters disagree with Democratic and independent voters that government should do more to reduce the gap between the rich and the poor, the 2012 post-election American Values Survey conducted by Public Religion Research Institute finds that there is widespread agreement on strategies to address the budget deficit. […] Read more »