Taxes & Revenue

Citizens' Assembly Recommends Proposals to Bring Down Property Taxes

A 100-resident citizens’ assembly developed ten recommendations for reforming Connecticut’s property-tax system, including a tax on income above $1 million and renewed highway tolls. Members presented the recommendations as ways to reduce local property and vehicle taxes while supporting education, child care and health care.

Public Finance Civic Initiative

WSHU Public Radio • CT • Oct 27, 2026

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Louisiana Residents Challenge SpaceX Tax Agreement

Three local residents and the newly formed Vermilion Citizens Coalition filed a lawsuit challenging how local officials approved an economic-development agreement for SpaceX’s proposed Starbase in Louisiana. The agreement exempts the project from ordinary local property taxes in exchange for annual payments of $25 million to local taxing authorities. The plaintiffs allege eight violations of Louisiana’s open-meetings requirements during four meetings involving a coastal-land settlement, the revival of a long-inactive industrial-development board and approval of the tax agreement. They contend that officials failed to provide adequate public notice, improperly amended agendas and did not livestream required meetings. The lawsuit asks the court to invalidate the government actions, potentially including the tax agreement. The plaintiffs say their case concerns transparent government rather than opposition to SpaceX itself.

Government Transparency & Accountability Coalition Building/Community Organizing Litigation/Court Challenge

AP News • LA • Oct 27, 2026

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City Residents Get Enough Signatures to Force Vote on Future of 34.25% Tax Hike

After the city council approved a 34.25% property-tax increase, resident Nancy Inman and other community members organized a petition drive seeking to overturn it. The increase was expected to produce approximately $1.75 million annually, in part to raise municipal employees’ wages; organizers argued that the increase was excessive and should be decided by voters. The campaign collected at least the required 1,786 verified signatures, qualifying a November 3 referendum asking residents whether the tax increase should remain in effect. If voters rescind it, the City Council will have to revise its 2026–27 spending plan to account for the lost revenue.

Public Finance Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

KSL • Roy, UT • Oct 13, 2026

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Local Woman Continues Push to Curb Town Spending, Promote Transparency

After several years of challenging what she considers excessive municipal spending, a town resident collected enough signatures for a proposed ordinance governing how the Maine town raises and spends money. Working with the Citizen Taxpayer Committee and an attorney, the proposed limiting annual tax increases, capping certain reserves and requiring more information about how proposed spending would affect property taxes. The ordinance would also move major spending decisions to secret ballots and require voter approval for expenditures above $175,000. Carothers argues that the changes would allow more residents to participate and make informed decisions, rather than leaving spending votes to the approximately 100 people who attended the 2026 open town meeting. Municipal budget officials agree that clearer reserve policies may be useful but warn that rigid limits could interfere with emergency purchases, debt payments and the town’s ability to secure matching state or federal funds.

Public Finance Ballot Initiative or Referendum Campaign/Signature Gathering

centralmaine.com • Belgrade, ME • Jul 6, 2026

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Kansas City Rally Draws Hundreds to Protest Missouri Plan to End Income Tax and Expand Sales Taxes

More than 200 Kansas City-area residents gathered at a church to oppose Missouri legislation that would begin the process of eliminating the state income tax and replacing some of the revenue through expanded sales taxes. The event was organized by Missouri Jobs with Justice, the Missouri Workers Center and Parents for KC Kids, bringing together public-school parents, educators, low-wage workers, union members and faith leaders. Speakers argued that shifting from income taxes toward sales taxes would place a greater burden on lower-income and older residents while threatening funding for schools, hospitals, roads, disability services and senior programs. Supporters of the legislation contend that eliminating the income tax could attract businesses and that consumption taxes give residents more control over what they pay. The measure had passed the Missouri House but still required Senate approval and, as a proposed constitutional amendment, voter approval.

Public Finance Community Education/Outreach Peaceful Protest/Demonstration

KCUR • Kansas City, MO • Mar 19, 2026

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