Tax Increases Much-Regretted Necessity for Republican Governors
In the face of a historical antipathy deepened by the Tea Party movement, chief executives in Alabama, Nevada, and Michigan are proposing increases.
Governor Brian Sandoval attends a news conference in Carson City, Nev., on Sept. 4, 2014.
Photographer: David Calvert/BloombergThis article is for subscribers only.
Republican governors meeting in Washington this weekend said financial conditions in their states have deteriorated so much that they must raise taxes, even if it means crossing their own party.
In the face of a historical antipathy deepened by the Tea Party movement, chief executives in Alabama, Nevada and Michigan among other states are proposing increases this year to address shortfalls or to spend more on faltering schools and infrastructure. They advocate higher levies on businesses, tobacco, alcohol and gasoline, in some cases casting the increases as user fees.