Author Archives: Stephen D. Haner

About Stephen D. Haner

Steve Haner is Senior Fellow for State and Local Tax Policy for the Thomas Jefferson Institute for Public Policy. He is a former reporter, lobbyist, state employee and political advisor, with an emphasis on tax and business issues. He may be reached at blackwalnut140@live.com.

Meet the GOP Carbon Tax Advocate Bob Inglis

Posted on May 30, 2019 by Stephen D. Haner

There is a hotbed of carbon tax advocacy at George Mason University, led by a former GOP congressman sent packing by South Carolina voters because he’s ready to tax them into embracing solar and wind. Robert Inglis was part of … Continue reading →

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Is the Goal Cutting CO2 or Imposing a Tax?

Posted on May 14, 2019 by Stephen D. Haner

While it would have been a popular step with his political base, and one he was expected to take, Governor Ralph Northam may have been smart to pass on seeking to veto state budget language preventing Virginia membership in the … Continue reading →

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Is Winter Coming for Virginia Pipeline Projects?

Posted on April 30, 2019 by Stephen D. Haner

The building season is here, but for developers of Virginia’s two hotly-contested natural gas pipelines, activity is back in the government agencies and courthouses. The construction sites remain largely silent, delays running up the ultimate cost of the projects, including … Continue reading →

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How Government Creates Poverty

Posted on April 18, 2019 by Stephen D. Haner

Government is much better at creating poverty than at curing it. On April 3 the General Assembly voted to end the practice of suspending driving licenses for non-payment of fines or restitution or both and ordered Department of Motor Vehicles to restore … Continue reading →

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Will The “Taxpayer Relief Fund” Become a Sham?

Posted on April 3, 2019 by Stephen D. Haner

The Taxpayer Relief Fund to be created with the residual dollars from the 2019 state tax legislation on conformity has not seen the first dollar deposited and Governor Ralph Northam is already proposing to spend some of it, seeking to … Continue reading →

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