George Graham

A Hidden Tax Increase


 

While Trump and his minions call it the biggest tax cut in history, the budget proposal Republicans are railroading through Congress actually includes at least one hidden tax increase.

The proposed federal budget would eliminate deduction of local and state taxes from an individual’s taxable income, a big penalty to struggling middle-class families.

Of course, the proposal would be most painful for taxpayers in states that have their own income tax.  And as the tax rates vary from state to state, the effect would be greater in some states than in others.

As you can see by clicking on the Wikipedia map above, the rates range from zero in states like Florida, Texas and Tennessee to almost 10 percent in California, Oregon and Minnesota, with other industrialized states like New York only slightly lower.  (I’m sure you guessed it – the ax would fall hardest on states that usually vote Democrat.)

The real tax cuts in the proposed legislation go to the richest Amerians and to the big corporations.

The cuts would add trillions of dollars to the National Debt – despite Republican assurances that a mysterious economic boom would counter that effect.

They’re counting on a “trickle-down” phenomenon.

But this strategy has been tried repeatedly with disastrous consequences. The state of Kansas, for example, recently slashed corporate taxes and its economy collapsed.

More on the proposed budget

How it penalizes states

About the author

gwgraeme

I am a Jamaican-born writer who has lived and worked in Canada and the United States. I live in Lakeland, Florida with my wife, Sandra, our three cats and two dogs. I like to play golf and enjoy our garden, even though it's a lot of work. Since retiring from newspaper reporting I've written a few books. I also write a monthly column for Jamaicans.com

4 Comments

  • Great review and pics! I can’t remember the canopy tour being available when I was there in ’09. Thrill seeker and adrenaline junkie that I am I’ll definitely check this when next I’m there … later this year hopefully!

    • Thanks Shelley. I’m not sure when it was added, but it was definitely a popular part of the falls experience. You should definitely do it when you return later this year.

  • […] but it was such a fun time in such a beautiful place.  Though a lot smaller than Dunn’s and YS Falls, Somerset Falls did not disappoint and was well worth the […]

  • I’ve been to YS falls in 2005. Am going back in July. I luv,luv YS falls! Go Jamaica!