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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 11, 2006
CONTACT: Eric Landau
(202) 204-3624
ACADEMY ISSUES SUMMARY REPORT OF INTERGOVERNMENTAL FORUM ON REVENUE SYSTEMS
Washington , DC — August 11, 2006 — The design of the tax system of all governments determines whether the U.S. revenue system achieves the goals embodied in the principles of equity, efficiency, simplicity, revenue sufficiency and administrability. This is the chief finding contained in a summary report of the Intergovernmental Forum on Revenue Systems issued by the National Academy of Public Administration. The report focuses on the major themes, challenges and solutions shared among the Intergovernmental Forum’s participants—among them a former governor and member of Congress, mayors, state and local officials, congressional and executive branch staff, and tax experts—who participated in their capacity as individuals. Among the highlights:
- Shifting economic, demographic, technological and political forces have rendered fiscal affairs increasingly unsustainable while the open nature of the U.S. economy and globalization means there is greater economic interdependence.
- It is time to elevate the role of intergovernmental cooperation in the design and administration of the U.S. revenue system to reap economic efficiency.
- Sound principles of taxation must be balanced on a "whole-of-government" basis as much as possible so that the nation can strengthen its adaptive capabilities.
The report also highlights how federal taxes affect state and local policies putting the spotlight on ideas such as:
- a federal government shift to consumption taxation
- expansions in the federal tax benefits for investments
- changes proposed for the federal personal-income tax deduction for taxes paid to other governmental partners.
Forum participants suggested an institutional framework at the federal level to ensure a meaningful dialogue and provide for better research and public access to information. The Academy-sponsored Intergovernmental Forum was conducted with a consortium of organizations representing state and local officials, and with the Administration and Congress. The Forum provides an open dialogue that allows participants to focus on solution-oriented recommendations to improve the functioning of the intergovernmental system. The report summary from the Intergovernmental Forum can be accessed at www.napawash.org/Pubs/NAPA_RevSys_Printprf.pdf .
The National Academy of Public Administration is an independent, non-partisan, non-profit corporation chartered by Congress to provide trusted advice to government agencies on issues of governance and public management. Under its Congressional charter, the Academy is charged with advancing the effectiveness of government at all levels—federal, state and local.
For more information about the National Academy of Public Administration, visit http://www.napawash.org.
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