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CTBA experts are available to provide insight, analysis, and data to the press on a wide range of public policy issues. In addition, CTBA disseminates new research and timely updates on policy developments to the media.

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  • Policy analysis and advocacy
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  • Legislative testimony
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February 26, 2014Illinois Issues

A call is coming from some corners for Illinois' leaders to bring voters a choice to alter the Constitution to include a graduated income tax.

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February 20, 2014Crain's Chicago Business

In a case scrutinized for potential ramifications for pension reform in Illinois, the Arizona Supreme Court today ruled unconstitutional efforts to curtail benefit increases for retired judges.
The Arizona case has been on the local radar because Arizona and Illinois are, along with New York, the only three states with constitutionally mandated protections for state pensions.

“My one-word comment is 'predictable,' ” said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, on today's ruling. “All the Arizona Supreme Court did is read the plain language and said there's no need for legal construction here: The language is plain on its face. Hence, it's unconstitutional.”

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February 19, 2014Crain's Chicago Business

Crain’s Chicago Business article on “Real Reason Why Most Illinois Companies Don’t Pay State Income Taxes” regarding a new study commissioned by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers’ Federation, quotes Ralph Martire.  Paul Merrion’s article ends:

The findings are not that

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February 18, 2014

Ralph Martire discusses public school funding in Chicago and Illinois and the challenges of providing a well-resourced quality education for all children. This event was part of the Winter Educational Issues Forum hosted by The DePaul University of Education.  This program was recorded and streamed by Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).

February 13, 2014Illinois Times

A plan to cut Illinois’ corporate income tax in half to create more jobs won’t work out, according to budget expert Ralph Martire.

Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan introduced a bill Jan. 30 to reduce the state’s corporate income tax from 7 percent to 3.5 percent.

“I am

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February 12, 2014Progress Illinois

Reforming Illinois' public education funding system has to include fixes to the state’s tax policy, argued Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability at a DePaul University education forum Tuesday evening.

“For decades, Illinois has denied an

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February 10, 2014Illinois Issues February 2014

“….. The issue should be part of the campaign debate, though, because without such structural changes, Illinois likely faces a future of red ink.” 

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January 30, 2014The Southern Illinoisan

To the Editor:

Regarding your ‘Skip the rhetoric, we want the facts’ editorial of Jan. 19: Amen to that. Unfortunately, if past performance is any indicator it’s going to take more than facts. As we’ve seen, going through the motions of gathering facts is far different than listening to

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January 23, 2014

The Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) released an Issue Brief, “How Does Illinois Spending on Public Services Compare to Other States?”. The Issue Brief delineates how under objective evaluation, Illinois ranks near the bottom in spending on core services like education, healthcare, human services, and public safety. Over the last 10 years, overall spending on services in Illinois has declined in real terms after adjusting for inflation.

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January 16, 2014Chicago Tribune

The House Revenue and Finance Committee and the House State Government Administration Committee met at 10:30 a.m. on Friday, January 17, 2014, in room C-600 of the Michael A. Bilandic Building. Lawmakers heard testimony from the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, among others.
 

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