Pennsylvania

From the colonial era through the Whiskey Rebellion, to the fitful efforts to tax income, to the 1991 income tax vote that sparked a literal scuffle in the lower house, and on to the present day, debates over taxes are interwoven in the fabric of Pennsylvania's history. The vision of a tax system that looks like someone designed it on purpose has proved elusive, here even more than in other states.Governing structures look different in Pennsylvania than they do elsewhere, and that is...
More Description

From the colonial era through the Whiskey Rebellion, to the fitful efforts to tax income, to the 1991 income tax vote that sparked a literal scuffle in the lower house, and on to the present day, debates over taxes are interwoven in the fabric of Pennsylvania's history. The vision of a tax system that looks like someone designed it on purpose has proved elusive, here even more than in other states.Governing structures look different in Pennsylvania than they do elsewhere, and that is part of the Commonwealth's charm. Unfortunately, it has also helped yield a tax code patched together over the years, overlaid on a system that has been evolving-not always in one direction-since the days of William Penn.Policymakers from across the spectrum recognize that the Commonwealth's tax code has not kept up with a 21st century economy. This book seeks to identify what the Commonwealth does well and to point out opportunities for improvement. It is our hope that this book will help reform a robust and much-needed debate about the future of the state's tax code.