In general, I am opposed to just about any tax increase. However, the mortgage interest deduction is one of my least favorite tax breaks. First of all, it's a regressive tax deduction that transfers wealth from renters and businesses to homeowners. Second, it causes home prices to rise relative … [Read more...]
McCain: Suspend the Gas Tax and Inflate the Deficit
I favor Bob Poole's solution: "The longer-term solution is to scrap the 20th-century tax-and-grant system in favor of universal tolling, managed by each state’s Department of Transportation and private toll companies."Furthermore, get the federal government out of the business of subsidizing … [Read more...]
The High Cost of Trendy Living
An interesting post discussing the economics of why people decide to pay high rents to live in dense urban places.The High Cost of Trendy Living … [Read more...]
Ending the Free Ride
Socialized transportation and government land planning of the past generations have put an unintended burden on future generations.Trendczar, Jonathan Miller explains how the lifestyle of sprawl is becoming less economical for individuals and government:Ending the Free Ride … [Read more...]
Sowell: Green “Disparate Impact”
NIMBYism and exclusionary zoning has helped "preserve the character" of desirable urban areas by driving out the economically unfortunate.Green Disparate Impact … [Read more...]
Planetizen: Economists vs. Planners? Complements, Not Substitutes
Samuel Staley of The Reason Foundation discusses the relationship between planning and economics at Planetizen:http://www.planetizen.com/node/30142 … [Read more...]