Urban Institute Tax Policy Center

Founded in 1968, the Urban Institute provides nonpartisan economic and social policy research on critical issues and trends in the United States, including taxes and the economy, housing, criminal justice, education, health, employment and income, and welfare. The Tax Policy Center (TPC), a joint venture between the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, was founded in 2002 to meet the need of policymakers, the media, and the public for clear and nonpartisan information about tax policy and understandable explanations and analyses of the implications of policy alternatives. This award provides general operating support to the Tax Policy Center, enabling the organization to continue to produce credible, accessible, and timely analysis of emerging tax policy proposals, particularly during Presidential elections and Congressional sessions. These analyses help educate policymakers, the media, and the public about tax policy options and trade-offs, and advance the public’s understanding of the effects of these ideas.

This grant supports the launch of the Urban Institute’s State and Local Finance Initiative, which aims to inform public understanding and strengthen decision making in the area of state and local finance. At a time when state and local governments are facing enormous fiscal stress and leaders are faced with difficult budget decisions, researchers at the Urban Institute and the Tax Policy Center are embarking on an effort to provide reliable, nonpartisan data and analysis about state and local budget challenges, potential solutions, and competing alternatives so that officials and citizens can better understand and evaluate available options.

The Tax Policy Center, a joint venture between the Urban Institute and the Brookings Institution, was founded in 2002 to provide policymakers, the media, and the public with clear and nonpartisan information about tax policy and understandable explanations and analyses of the implications of policy alternatives. This grant provides the Center with flexible operating support to continue to inform policy debates with credible research and analysis of tax and budget policy issues at a time when the domestic policy debate is marked by increasing interest in deficit reduction and tax reform.

To examine the implications for states of federal tax reform.

To establish an operating reserve, invest in core research infrastructure, and develop a strategic plan (over two years).