About 45 years have passed since a U.S. state last eliminated its income tax on wages and salaries. But with recent actions in Mississippi and Kentucky, two states now are on a path to do so, if their economies keep growing.
The push to zero out the income tax is perhaps the most aggressive example of a tax-cutting trend that swept across states as they rebounded from the COVID-19 pandemic with surging revenues and historic surpluses.
But it comes during a time of greater uncertainty for states, as they wait to see whether President Donald Trump’s cost cutting and tariffs lead to a reduction in federal funding for states and a downturn in the overall economy.
Some fiscal analysts also warn the repeal of income taxes could leave states reliant on other levies, such as sales taxes, that disproportionately affect the poor.
Mississippi is among the most impoverished states and relies heavily on federal funding. Democratic lawmakers warned the state could face a financial crises if cuts in federal funding come at the same time as state income tax reductions.
Hey Mississippi, that federal funding is what DOGE is frequently classifying as “waste, fraud, and abuse”. You might want to wait until you see the smoking crater the trump administration will leave for federal funding for states before you cut off your locally controlled income source.
This kind of message might possibly work…if their education system taught how to read.
Kansas tried something similar and it was such a disaster the Republicans had to repeal it themselves.
Turns out there are public services even Republicans still want. And you don’t please your base voters by bankrupting police departments and rural school districts.
Still, this is all contingent on some degree of democracy. If we’re just an oligarchy with a Two Minute Hate channel attached to it, we’ll get tax cuts followed by excuses. Blame the Haitians eating the dogs and the cats. Blame the mayor for killing peanut the squirrel. Then sit back and wait for the controlled opposition party to apologize for only half agreeing with you.
The most eloquent description of the south I’ve heard recently.
For Kentucky, I think this will probably kill their state healthcare program, which is incredibly popular from what I’ve heard.
Anyways:
The two poorest shittiest states are about to pull yet another “let’s fuck over the poor”, color me surprised
These states would cease to exist the second California would secede as these “no handouts for anybody!” states 100% dependn handouts from states that actually make money
But nothing to see here, just keep on going like this, it’s all fine
Mississippi and Kentucky are just welfare queens who need to pull themselves up by their bootstraps.
More than just them.
Your graph has no labels
This graph can mean anything.
It’s really fuckin cold in blue color States and hot like the devil balls in all red color states?
Joining the ranks with… Washington state?
Recently though, Washington finally passed a Capital Gains tax, still no conventional income tax, though. Washington has one of the most regressive tax structures in the country for being otherwise so progressive.
Mississippi and Kentucky
I’m in KY. I’ll save like 12 bucks.
Word around town is that these two states would easily qualify as “shit hole countries” if they weren’t attached to the USofFuckingA.
Guess they aren’t fans of clean water or driveable roads.
Residents are gonna learn a lot about who pays for roads and pipes and wires and hospitals and fireman and popo and …
I’m concerned, for sure.
