What’s Impacted?
State and Local Deductibility
The Trump Administration is currently proposing to either eliminate or cap the deductibility of state and local taxes. This is a fight we have not seriously faced since the tax reform act of 1986. But there are some estimates that this deduction costs the federal government over $1 trillion over 10 years, making it a serious target in tax reform. As we did in 1986, we are launching a campaign against “double taxation” to help the White House and Congress understand what is at stake in this fight. As part of the “Big 7” State and Local Coalition, which includes the Governors and State Legislatures and Cities and Counties, we have met with many of the experts who led the double taxation fight in 1986 to help us understand how the issue played out previously, and what strategy might work best with this Congress and Administration.
In April, the Big 7 sent our tax letter to all of Congress, letting them know we intend to fight hard to defend tax policies that are truly the historical bedrock of the federal, state and local partnership.
Tax-Exempt Municipal Bonds
Over the past several years, and with leadership being provided by our Second Vice President Columbia Mayor Steve Benjamin, we have built and led a strong coalition of almost 60 organizations united to stop either the elimination or capping of tax-exempt bonds. We have educated many leaders in Congress as to what bonds do to help build the infrastructure our people and businesses depend on every day. Our top officers also discussed this priority with President Trump one month after his election, at which time the President expressed his support for municipal bonds. We have made progress in getting our message out, but we remain under serious threat in the tax reform debate as members look for offsets to pay for bracket reductions. Here is the most recent coalition letter we have sent up on bonds.
Recent Headlines
Statement by U.S. Conference of Mayors on SALT Deductibility Act
Washington, DC—Below is a statement by Tom Cochran, CEO and Executive Director of the United States Conference of Mayors, in support of the SALT Deductibility Act: "On behalf of the nation's mayors, I want to
Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors Criticizes Congress for Passing Tax Reform Bill; Call it an ‘Assault on Cities’
WASHINGTON, DC – New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, President of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), today released the following statement on Congress’ tax bill on behalf of Democratic, Republican and Independent mayors: “When
U.S. Conference of Mayors President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu Issues Statement in Response to Senate Passing Tax Reform Bill
Washington, DC—In response to the Senate passing the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act today, U.S. Conference of Mayors President and New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued the following statement: “Today’s vote puts partisan politics first
As Tax Reform Hits Senate Floor, Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors Urges Senate To Eliminate Dangerous Double Taxation Proposal, Preserve Health Care
Washington, DC— As the Senate nears a vote on the proposed Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, the bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors (USCM) today released a letter urging Congressional leaders to preserve the State and
Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors Criticizes House for Passing ‘Dangerous’ Tax Reform Bill; Calls on Senate to End the ‘Assault on Cities’
WASHINGTON – New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, President of The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM), today released the following statement on behalf of Democratic, Republican and Independent mayors demanding the Senate make improvements to
Bipartisan U.S. Conference of Mayors Demands the House Vote “No” on Tax Bill that Hurts Taxpayers and Cities, Urges Members to Work with Mayors on New Plan
WASHINGTON – The United States Conference of Mayors (USCM) today released the following statement on behalf of Democratic, Republican and Independent Mayors demanding Congress start over on tax reform and work with mayors on a