Nick Johnson
@nickjohnson4.bsky.social
State & local tax policy @ITEP. Formerly: DC government, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities. Running, biking, boating, etc. Follow the money.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Romney doesn't put a foot wrong in his new op-ed. The FICA cap should be lifted. Stepped-up basis should be repealed. Tariffs are regressive. We should tax carried interest. And we're heading for a deficit cliff.
But these things were all true in 2012, when he could have DONE something about them.
But these things were all true in 2012, when he could have DONE something about them.
December 19, 2025 at 3:16 PM
Romney doesn't put a foot wrong in his new op-ed. The FICA cap should be lifted. Stepped-up basis should be repealed. Tariffs are regressive. We should tax carried interest. And we're heading for a deficit cliff.
But these things were all true in 2012, when he could have DONE something about them.
But these things were all true in 2012, when he could have DONE something about them.
Am I overreacting to think that in any other Administration, R or D, directing a blatant mistruth to taxpayers would get a Treasury Secretary in trouble? itep.org/no-scott-bes...
No, Scott Bessent: States Aren’t Taking Away Anyone’s Tax Cuts
It’s wildly inappropriate for a U.S. Treasury Secretary to lean on states to adopt or not adopt specific federal provisions in their own state tax codes.
itep.org
December 11, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Am I overreacting to think that in any other Administration, R or D, directing a blatant mistruth to taxpayers would get a Treasury Secretary in trouble? itep.org/no-scott-bes...
www.cbpp.org/blog/states-... States Must Prioritize Revenue to Support People and Communities in Wake of Harmful Republican Megabill
States Must Prioritize Revenue to Support People and Communities in Wake of Harmful Republican Megabill
As states move closer to their 2026 legislative sessions, lawmakers nationwide are grappling with how to respond to fallout from recent federal policies, including this July’s harmful Republican...
www.cbpp.org
November 17, 2025 at 7:11 PM
www.cbpp.org/blog/states-... States Must Prioritize Revenue to Support People and Communities in Wake of Harmful Republican Megabill
Reposted by Nick Johnson
In addition to a vote on an emergency bill to reject federal tax cuts that would cost DC $658 million in local funds, DC Council is voting today on Councilmember Parker's amendment to use funds to restore a DC Child Tax Credit.
I'm dogged about alleviating poverty in the District for families and children. That's why I've championed the Child Tax Credit, shown to be the single most effective anti-poverty measure in the past 60+ years. Tomorrow, I'm moving an amendment alongside 9 of my colleagues to finally secure it.
November 4, 2025 at 5:17 PM
In addition to a vote on an emergency bill to reject federal tax cuts that would cost DC $658 million in local funds, DC Council is voting today on Councilmember Parker's amendment to use funds to restore a DC Child Tax Credit.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Several of the wasteful and poorly targeted tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be replicated in the local tax code unless the DC Council approves this emergency bill, which would protect $658 billion in local funds that can be used to support residents in need.
Update: The council *will* consider an emergency bill to decouple the city from some federal tax provisions on Tuesday. Below are the relevant provisions that D.C. would decouple on. Now, note that there's been no public discussion to date about this.
October 31, 2025 at 2:35 PM
Several of the wasteful and poorly targeted tax cuts in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act will be replicated in the local tax code unless the DC Council approves this emergency bill, which would protect $658 billion in local funds that can be used to support residents in need.
States can protect revenue in the current fiscal year by shutting down this loophole, which allows wealthy investors to sell stock at massive profit entirely tax-free - even if the stock is in an out-of-state company. #qsbs
October 30, 2025 at 1:25 PM
States can protect revenue in the current fiscal year by shutting down this loophole, which allows wealthy investors to sell stock at massive profit entirely tax-free - even if the stock is in an out-of-state company. #qsbs
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Great insights (and fun acronym reinterpretation!) from
@itep.org.
States should follow California's lead and decouple from the federal Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion. It sure doesn't seem like early-stage tech investment in CA has suffered without it...
itep.org/qsbs-trump-t...
@itep.org.
States should follow California's lead and decouple from the federal Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion. It sure doesn't seem like early-stage tech investment in CA has suffered without it...
itep.org/qsbs-trump-t...
Quite Some BS: Expanded ‘QSBS’ Giveaway in Trump Tax Law Threatens State Revenues and Enriches the Wealthy
States should decouple from the federal Qualified Small Business Stock (QSBS) exemption.
itep.org
October 7, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Great insights (and fun acronym reinterpretation!) from
@itep.org.
States should follow California's lead and decouple from the federal Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion. It sure doesn't seem like early-stage tech investment in CA has suffered without it...
itep.org/qsbs-trump-t...
@itep.org.
States should follow California's lead and decouple from the federal Qualified Small Business Stock exclusion. It sure doesn't seem like early-stage tech investment in CA has suffered without it...
itep.org/qsbs-trump-t...
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Opposition to the qualified small business stock exclusion crosses ideological lines!
@kylepomerleau.bsky.social & me on why QSBS-which Republicans just expanded-is inefficient, unfair & should be scrapped, or at least reformed to fix glaring defects.
www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-to... @taxnotes.com
@kylepomerleau.bsky.social & me on why QSBS-which Republicans just expanded-is inefficient, unfair & should be scrapped, or at least reformed to fix glaring defects.
www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-to... @taxnotes.com
www.taxnotes.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Opposition to the qualified small business stock exclusion crosses ideological lines!
@kylepomerleau.bsky.social & me on why QSBS-which Republicans just expanded-is inefficient, unfair & should be scrapped, or at least reformed to fix glaring defects.
www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-to... @taxnotes.com
@kylepomerleau.bsky.social & me on why QSBS-which Republicans just expanded-is inefficient, unfair & should be scrapped, or at least reformed to fix glaring defects.
www.taxnotes.com/tax-notes-to... @taxnotes.com
Perhaps explains why the president's in a rush to pass this thing before the nation fully realizes what it does.
May 21, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Perhaps explains why the president's in a rush to pass this thing before the nation fully realizes what it does.
With Gov. Moore's signature yesterday, Maryland is turning its upside-down tax code right side up! The wealthiest 1 percent will no longer pay state&local tax at a lower rate than any other income group. My brilliant colleague Miles Trinidad explains: itep.org/maryland-bud...
Maryland’s New Budget Boosts Tax Revenue and Equity
The final budget adopted by the Maryland General Assembly shows progress in advancing tax equity in the state while boosting…
itep.org
May 21, 2025 at 3:14 PM
With Gov. Moore's signature yesterday, Maryland is turning its upside-down tax code right side up! The wealthiest 1 percent will no longer pay state&local tax at a lower rate than any other income group. My brilliant colleague Miles Trinidad explains: itep.org/maryland-bud...
Strong leadership underpinned by progressive values of fairness, public investment, and common sense in Maryland itep.org/maryland-bud...
Maryland’s New Budget Boosts Tax Revenue and Equity
The final budget adopted by the Maryland General Assembly shows progress in advancing tax equity in the state while boosting…
itep.org
May 7, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Strong leadership underpinned by progressive values of fairness, public investment, and common sense in Maryland itep.org/maryland-bud...
States foreshadowing the federal tax bill... stateline.org/2025/04/29/n...
New tax cuts mostly favor the rich across states this year • Stateline
Missouri Republicans may take their tax-cutting efforts to new heights this year as lawmakers consider exempting profits from the sale of stocks, bonds and real estate from state income taxes.
stateline.org
April 29, 2025 at 1:29 PM
States foreshadowing the federal tax bill... stateline.org/2025/04/29/n...
I just read two pieces that help explain why I do what I do. One is from Learning Policy Institute on the massive, and growing, body of evidence that $$ matters in education (kinda common sense for most of us but still good to see the research). learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/how-edu...
How Education Funding Matters: Lessons From NAEP, the Pandemic, and Recovery Efforts
Recent NAEP data reveal widening achievement gaps, especially for the lowest-performing students. What’s the path forward? Research makes it clear: well-targeted investments boost outcomes, narrow dis...
learningpolicyinstitute.org
March 3, 2025 at 5:24 PM
I just read two pieces that help explain why I do what I do. One is from Learning Policy Institute on the massive, and growing, body of evidence that $$ matters in education (kinda common sense for most of us but still good to see the research). learningpolicyinstitute.org/blog/how-edu...
What Krugman was to understanding Bushonomics in the early 2000s, @donmoyn.bsky.social is to understanding the current assault on the public sector. Cool, evidence-based, and devastating.
New, from me: Tulsi Gabbard purged trans intelligence officers after a Chris Rufo smear campaign.
They were targeted because they were trans, their words were mischaracterized, and they were offered no due process.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-era-of...
They were targeted because they were trans, their words were mischaracterized, and they were offered no due process.
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-era-of...
The Era of Purges
The firing of trans officials is part of a broader pattern of exclusion
donmoynihan.substack.com
February 27, 2025 at 4:33 PM
What Krugman was to understanding Bushonomics in the early 2000s, @donmoyn.bsky.social is to understanding the current assault on the public sector. Cool, evidence-based, and devastating.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Last night House Rs advanced their dystopic plan for America's future. The budget resolution they approved would slash health coverage, food assistance, and more to pave the way for massive tax cuts for wealthy people and profitable corporations. www.dcfpi.org/all/house-re...
House Republicans Set the Stage to Slash Health and Food Assistance to Give Massive Tax Cuts to the Wealthy
[…]
www.dcfpi.org
February 26, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Last night House Rs advanced their dystopic plan for America's future. The budget resolution they approved would slash health coverage, food assistance, and more to pave the way for massive tax cuts for wealthy people and profitable corporations. www.dcfpi.org/all/house-re...
States considering property tax caps need to learn a little history. When I was a teenager, my state passed a cap that led to lots of teacher layoffs and damaged the school system for many years. My colleague Rita Jefferson tells the full story here @iteptweets itep.org/california-p...
February 26, 2025 at 8:19 PM
States considering property tax caps need to learn a little history. When I was a teenager, my state passed a cap that led to lots of teacher layoffs and damaged the school system for many years. My colleague Rita Jefferson tells the full story here @iteptweets itep.org/california-p...
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Analysis of Gov. Moore’s tax plan: “The wealthiest 1 percent of Maryland taxpayers are currently the least-taxed income group in the state. This plan asks more of those at the top.” itep.org/maryland-gov...
January 31, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Analysis of Gov. Moore’s tax plan: “The wealthiest 1 percent of Maryland taxpayers are currently the least-taxed income group in the state. This plan asks more of those at the top.” itep.org/maryland-gov...
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Republican proposals would deliver trillions in tax cuts benefiting high-income households and profitable corporations, while cutting health and food assistance. This would increase poverty, reduce housing stability, and raise prices through new tariffs. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
February 4, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Republican proposals would deliver trillions in tax cuts benefiting high-income households and profitable corporations, while cutting health and food assistance. This would increase poverty, reduce housing stability, and raise prices through new tariffs. www.cbpp.org/research/fed...
Most DC residents have no idea that big K-street law firms and lobby firms are avoiding taxes paid by mom-and-pop retailers and other businesses. Fortunately there's a fix! This thread explains it perfectly. 👇
New analysis from dcfpi.bsky.social with @nickjohnson4.bsky.social on how DC can ensure all businesses operating in the District pay their fair share of taxes and boost the economy by instituting a Business Activity Tax. www.dcfpi.org/all/a-busine...
A Business Activity Tax Would Make DC’s Tax System More Equitable While Raising Revenue
By enacting a Business Activity Tax—a new, simple, broad-based value-added tax, DC would make business taxation fairer and more racially equitable while raising significant revenue for the District.
www.dcfpi.org
February 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Most DC residents have no idea that big K-street law firms and lobby firms are avoiding taxes paid by mom-and-pop retailers and other businesses. Fortunately there's a fix! This thread explains it perfectly. 👇
The data show that people choose where to live mostly for non-tax reasons. Still, opponents of fair taxation never get tired of wheeling out the myths. itep.org/marylands-ta...
Maryland’s Tax Reform Likely Won’t Cause Millionaire Migration
The moment Gov. Wes Moore announced his proposal to reform Maryland’s tax system, in part, by raising income tax rates on high-income households, opponents began predicting that wealthy people would r...
itep.org
January 30, 2025 at 8:59 PM
The data show that people choose where to live mostly for non-tax reasons. Still, opponents of fair taxation never get tired of wheeling out the myths. itep.org/marylands-ta...
Our new analysis gives 4 reasons MD Gov Wes Moore's tax plan is smart. 1) Makes tax code simpler 2) Most Marylanders get a cut 3) Raises revenue for schools etc. 4) The new revenue mostly comes from the income group that now pays the least. (Guess who that is.) itep.org/maryland-gov...
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore’s Tax Plan Boosts Revenue, Increases Fairness
Maryland’s Gov. Wes Moore put forward a tax reform plan that would make the tax system fairer, simpler, and better able to meet the state’s needs. The proposed changes to the income tax ask more of th...
itep.org
January 30, 2025 at 8:19 PM
Our new analysis gives 4 reasons MD Gov Wes Moore's tax plan is smart. 1) Makes tax code simpler 2) Most Marylanders get a cut 3) Raises revenue for schools etc. 4) The new revenue mostly comes from the income group that now pays the least. (Guess who that is.) itep.org/maryland-gov...
And this: "Tax breaks for executive stock options shaved a quarter billion off the company’s tax bill."
NEW: Tesla, the most valuable automaker in the world, did not pay any federal income tax last year.
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
Tesla Reported Zero Federal Income Tax on $2 Billion of U.S. Income in 2024
Tesla reported $2.3 billion of U.S. income in 2024 but paid zero federal income tax. Over the past three years, the Elon Musk-led company reports $10.8 billion of U.S. income on which its current fede...
itep.org
January 30, 2025 at 5:52 PM
And this: "Tax breaks for executive stock options shaved a quarter billion off the company’s tax bill."
Reposted by Nick Johnson
NEW: Tesla, the most valuable automaker in the world, did not pay any federal income tax last year.
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
Tesla Reported Zero Federal Income Tax on $2 Billion of U.S. Income in 2024
Tesla reported $2.3 billion of U.S. income in 2024 but paid zero federal income tax. Over the past three years, the Elon Musk-led company reports $10.8 billion of U.S. income on which its current fede...
itep.org
January 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
NEW: Tesla, the most valuable automaker in the world, did not pay any federal income tax last year.
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
The company reported $0 in federal income tax on $2 billion of U.S. income in 2024.
Elon Musk’s company avoided almost all federal income tax over the past three years. itep.org/tesla-report...
Many states already face tight budgets. Now, revenue streams could take another big hits if undocumented taxpayers are deported.
The U.S. stands to lose $8.9 billion in tax revenue for every 1 million undocumented immigrants deported.
A mass deportation program will bring steep fiscal and humanitarian costs.
itep.org/undocumented...
A mass deportation program will bring steep fiscal and humanitarian costs.
itep.org/undocumented...
Undocumented Immigrants Pay More Than Their Fair Share of Taxes
Undocumented immigrants help fund teacher salaries, road and bridge repairs and other local quality-of-life improvements. They also pay into vital programs that make up our social safety net (includin...
itep.org
January 12, 2025 at 2:24 PM
Many states already face tight budgets. Now, revenue streams could take another big hits if undocumented taxpayers are deported.
Every January -> new state legislative sessions -> reminder of this awesome resource for keeping track of it all. itep.org/state-rundow...
State Rundown 1/9: New Year, New Pushes for Tax Policy Changes
It’s a new year, and state legislatures across the country are resolved to write new tax policy. Tax debates are…
itep.org
January 10, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Every January -> new state legislative sessions -> reminder of this awesome resource for keeping track of it all. itep.org/state-rundow...