ReveNews: Starting off a tough year in a stronger movement
February 13, 2025
We knew that 2025 was going to be a doozy, but the start of the new year feels like we’ve already had our share of challenges. While you take care of your community and fight for a brighter future, remember to lean on us and others in this movement who have your back.
In this issue of ReveNews, check out a roundup of state action to head off another round of federal tax cuts that will come at the expense of families all across the country, plus some good news on the revenue front in states. More policy and organizing resources from national partner organizations and a look ahead to our SRA Monthly Call.
IN THE STATES….
Congratulations and a million thank-yous to SRA state partners who are taking action, organizing events, meeting with their representatives and, over the past week, sent letters to their Congressional delegations in opposition to any attempt to replace the 2017 Tax Cut and Jobs Act. We worked with partners in 20 states representing 350 diverse organizations–including local labor unions, policy organizations, grassroots organizers, faith organizations and churches, child care, climate, education, housing, and immigrant rights advocate groups–to ensure that the voices of everyday workers and families from across the country are heard in the federal tax bill negotiations.
Check out the media stories and letters from Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington State.
Thanks, no doubt, in large part to the advocacy and coalition building around state tax policy, several Governors have adopted policies and stated their support for tax justice.
In Maryland, Governor Wes Moore, who has previously opposed tax increases, included both new high-earners taxes and combined reporting in his budget.
Governor Ned Lamont has often fought progressive tax champions in Connecticut during his time in office. This year, his budget includes loosening the state’s “fiscal guardrails”, investments in early education and changes to business taxes that the Connecticut business lobby says are, “surprising and disappointing.”
Outgoing Washington Governor Jay Inslee made the courageous decision to include a 1% wealth tax in his final budget outline. While the current Governor, Bob Ferguson, has been cool to the idea, we know that the strong tax justice movement in Washington will continue to push for bold ideas to raise revenue.
Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro is championing combined reporting, which Pennsylvanians Together have advocated for in the past few years.
FOR THE STATES…
Legislative sessions have started and you’re busy. Count on SRA to keep you up to date with new resources for state tax policy advocacy.
Updated and condensed 2-page basic revenue message guidance
New: A look at how state tax policy showed up in the news, with SRA’s 2024 Media report
Direct File resources from Groundwork Collaborative
SRA’s State Rankings Database with state info from over 15 different sources and our tax and revenue support model
#TaxValentines from the Institute on Taxation and Economic Policy (ITEP)
ON THE NATIONAL SCENE…
It’s been a busy few weeks on the Federal tax scene as Congressional leaders and the Administration, when not disemboweling the government, are attempting to agree on a tax bill.
In January, Fair Share America (FSA) ramped up and Families over Billionaires launched to coordinate and level-up a national campaign to defeat any federal attempts to pay for tax cuts by gutting Medicaid, SNAP and other essential services.
FSA has created these State Impact Docs with state-specific numbers showing the real impact of proposed federal cuts.
Tonight FSA is hosting a national tele-town hall on the Federal tax fight. You can RSVP to join by phone or join by Zoom.
State partners are gearing up for actions and events during congressional recess after President’s Day weekend.
A brand new Groundwork and the Student Borrower Protection Center poll is showing continued opposition to tax cuts for the wealthy and support for funding programs like Medicaid, student debt relief, and SNAP.
There’s been plenty of national reporting on the Trump tax cuts and SRA’s Amber Wallin has been telling the story that the 2025 battleground on taxes will also take place in the states, not just on Capitol Hill. Late last year and into January, Amber has been featured, among other interviews with local, state and national outlets, in Bloomberg, an episode of Tax Notes podcast and published an important column in Common Dreams.
DID YOU KNOW?
Black History is American History and tax policy is not race neutral. Read more from Whitney Tucker at CBPP here and from author, scholar, and professor Dorothy A. Brown here. SRA is proud of partners in states fighting for racial justice. Take a few minutes to get to know a few of the Black led organizations that are moving our nation toward its promise: North Carolina Black Alliance, the Indiana Black Church Coalition, and the Black Voters Matter PA.
Check it out:
On Thursday, February 27th, the SRA Monthly call will feature advocates and organizers from several states who will share an inside look at the planning and execution of some of their more creative organizing efforts on tax issues.
Register today for a chance to be in community and find inspiration from the incredible work happening across the country.
To send ideas for this newsletter, email jonathan@staterevenuealliance.org.