National University System Institute for Policy Research

Past Years

EconoMeter: Should Congress extend all Bush tax cuts?: December 5, 2010 - This week's question: Should Congress extend the Bush tax cuts for all taxpayers, even if it means an extra $700 billion in revenue losses from those earning more than $250,000 annually? Continue reading »

EconoMeter: Is there any good economic news?: November 28, 2010 - Is there any good economic news to be thankful for at Thanksgiving this year? Continue reading »

Opinion: A business-friendly approach to raising city revenue: November 24, 2010 - Proposition D may have been defeated on Election Day, but San Diego City Hall still has viable options to raise new tax revenues. With an estimated $72 million budget shortfall looming on the horizon, now is the time for local elected officials to advance a proven program that could add thousands more taxpayers onto the city ledger. Continue reading »

EconoMeter: Should mortgage interest deduction be eliminated?: November 21, 2010 - The president's deficit reduction commission unloaded a bombshell of sorts recently, when it proposed ending the mortgage interest deduction or at least scaling it back to apply to loans of no more than $500,000 and to owner-occupied, principal residences. Offsetting such a change would be lower marginal tax rates. The deduction is worth about $100 billion annually in tax savings to homeowners. Is reducing or eliminating the mortgage interest deduction a good way to cut the federal deficit? Continue reading »

EconoMeter: Can DeMaio's plan balance budget?: November 14, 2010 - This week's question: With many tax increases rejected by voters, San Diego County cities, as well as states, counties and school districts, face chronic budget deficits in 2011. San Diego Councilman Carl DeMaio has issued his proposal to balance the budget, largely by contracting city services to private firms, offering incentives for lower pension benefits, and freezing pay. The underlying philosophy is that we're not taxing too little but spending too much. Others believe San Diego is a "cheap" city that is not taxing or spending at the levels of other comparable cities. Is Carl DeMaio's "Roadmap to Recovery" a viable approach to balancing budgets? Continue reading »