Another Year of Strong Growth in Alabama Tax Collections
The thriving economy produced another year of surging tax collections for Alabama’s General Fund and Education Trust Fund (ETF), the two primary accounts that provide state funding for government operations. The better-than-projected results put the state in a good position to meet current obligations and weather a downturn should it arise. It also appears that […]
Revisiting How Alabama Taxes Compare, 2018
With just a few hours remaining to file state and federal taxes, revisit our 2018 analysis of state and local taxes, originally published in December 2018. Alabama’s state and local governments collect less per capita in taxes than state and local governments in any other state in the union, according to new data from the […]
How Alabama Taxes Compare, 2018 Report
Alabama’s state and local governments collect less per capita in taxes than state and local governments in any other state in the union, according to new data from the U.S. Census Bureau. Annually, the U.S. Census Bureau surveys state and local governments across the country about their revenues and expenditures. This survey makes it possible […]
Tax Reform Ranks #10 Among Alabama Voter Priorities
[siteorigin_widget class=”WP_Widget_Media_Image”][/siteorigin_widget] Background In late 2017, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama (PARCA) surveyed Alabama voters to determine their thoughts about the general direction of the state and the issues that most concern them. PARCA partnered with Samford University to survey policy professionals from across the state, including academics, journalists, business and nonprofit leaders, […]
How Alabama Taxes Compare
Since late 1988, the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama has produced an analysis of Alabama’s tax revenues. Relying on the U.S. Census Bureau’s annual survey of state and local governments across the country, we are able to determine how Alabama taxes and revenue compare to other states. In the analysis, state and local spending […]
Lowest Per Capita Tax Collections in the Nation
Alabama once again ranks last in per capita state and local tax collections, according to new data released by the U.S. Census Bureau. Alabama has consistently maintained its No. 50 ranking since the early 1990s. As a result, Alabama state and local governments have less to spend than governments in other states when providing services […]
Back to the Basics on Taxes and Budgeting
With the Governor and Legislature still at odds over how to solve a $250 million shortfall in the state’s General Fund, we thought it would be useful to again call attention to two essential underlying problems that explain why we are in the current predicament. PARCA has written about both recently and, over the past […]
PARCA Poll of Public Attitudes on Taxes, Education, Corrections and Medicaid
According to a new poll of public opinion commissioned by the Public Affairs Research Council of Alabama, state residents would be willing to pay more in taxes to avoid budget cuts in key areas like education, health care, and public safety. However, the public remains distrustful of government’s ability to spend tax dollars wisely. The […]
PARCA Winter Quarterly Tackles Budgeting, Corrections, Medicaid, and Education
The PARCA Quarterly Winter 2015 edition provides perspective on Alabama’s budget challenges and reform efforts in education, Medicaid, and the state prison system. The Quarterly provides background for our upcoming annual meeting, which is February 13 at the Harbert Center in downtown Birmingham. The meeting will feature: State Sen. Cam Ward and […]
Alabama Gasoline Tax Revenue Continues to Decline
Alabama Gasoline Tax Revenue Continues to Decline Revenue from the gasoline tax, the money that goes into building and maintaining roads, continues to decline in Alabama. Cars are using less gas, and Alabama’s state gas tax is collected on a per gallon basis. That means Alabama is collecting less for every mile driven. Compounding the […]