Public Services, Budgets, and Economic Development

Too often, states and cities pursue economic development strategies that amount to little more than tax giveaways to big corporations. Pushing back on this flawed approach, EARN groups design and promote smart economic development policies that invest in infrastructure, in people, and in the communities where opportunity is lacking.

Smart economic development means strong workforce development programs, such as apprenticeships and sector strategies; infrastructure investments in transportation, schools, broadband, and healthcare; and community development projects that deliver good, high-paying jobs to local residents, especially in communities of color, and other underserved communities.

Federal funds for state and local governments

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Public Services and Employment

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Education

High-quality and equitable education opportunities, ranging across early childhood, K-12, technical education, higher education and apprenticeships, are pivotal for the economic prospects of working people and their children. Read More.

Healthcare

Across the country, 29.8 million people would lose their health insurance if the Affordable Care Act were repealed—more than doubling the number of people without health insurance. And 1.2 million jobs would be lost—not just in health care but across the board. Read More.

Infrastructure

State and local governments account for the bulk of public spending on infrastructure. Infrastructure investments can ensure that we do not leave future generations a deficit of underinvestment and deferred maintenance of public assets. Read more.

Budgets and Taxes

Closing budget deficits is not always the optimal fiscal policy in the short term  or the medium term. Instead, budgets should simply be seen as a tool with which to boost living standards. Read More.

Publications

Most would get tax cut under Gov. John Bel Edwards’ tax plan

Louisiana is $440 million short of the revenue needed to fund state government at current levels in next year’s budget. The problem gets much worse in the 2018-19 fiscal year, when more than $1.3 billion in temporary taxes are due to expire – creating a “fiscal cliff” that would require drastic cuts to state services if left unaddressed.

To plug these holes, Gov. John Bel Edwards has proposed a package of tax reforms that would overhaul the state sales tax, the personal income tax, and the taxes that corporations pay. If all elements of the plan are approved, it would raise enough revenue to plug the coming fiscal year’s $440 million shortfall and avoid the 2018-19 fiscal cliff. It would generate about $411 million per year in new, recurring revenue and would provide a net tax cut to 95 percent of Louisiana families. The largest effective tax cut would go to the middle 20 percent of taxpayers – households earning between $36,000 and $56,000 per year.

The plan would also make Louisiana’s tax structure more fair. But this fairness is tied to the changes proposed for the personal income tax, which have to pass both the Legislature and a vote of the people.

The State of Health Coverage in the Mid South

  • March 23, 2017
  • Staff Report

While the nation continues to grapple with the potential impact of a repeal of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), little discussion has focused on how repealing the ACA would impact a specific region of the United States. This brief examines the implementation of the ACA in the Mid South and provides a snapshot of health insurance coverage in the region under the ACA.

Economic and Tax Contributions of Undocumented Immigrants in NY

As the Trump Administration talks about a program of mass deportation – or, who knows, perhaps not? – the question of what contribution undocumented immigrants make to the New York economy is more important than ever. This new report finds that unauthorized immigrants are responsible for $40 billion, or three percent, of New York’s economic output, and make up five percent of the labor force. They also pay taxes—a total of $1.1 billion in state and local taxes in New York.

The report also has regional profiles of unauthorized immigrants in New York City, Long Island, the Hudson Valley, and Northern and Western New York.