CTBA experts are available to provide insight, analysis, and data to the press on a wide range of public policy issues. In addition, CTBA disseminates new research and timely updates on policy developments to the media.
What We Do
- Policy analysis and advocacy
- Empirical research
- Advice and technical assistance
- Strategic leadership in coalitions
- Legislative testimony
- Public education
Since Illinois sportsbooks began taking bets in March 2020, gamblers have lost more than $812 million wagering on various games, matches, tournaments and races. Ralph Martire, executive director of the bipartisan Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, said there are other risks to state budgets when legislatures allow more gambling opportunities such as sports wagering.
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The gap between white students and others has been narrowing, but teacher pay makes it unsustainable
Ralph Martire’s column in the Daily Herald highlights the national teach shortage caused in large part by inadequate pay.
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The Schaumburg Township District Library hosted an Illinois Public Pension discussion on May 10, 2022. Panel members included Carol Portman of the Taxpayer's Federation of Illinois as the moderator, Adam Schuster of Illinois Policy Institute, and Ralph Martire of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability.
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Tens of thousand of Illinois children sank into poverty after monthly federal child tax credit payments ended. With inflation squeezing Illinois families, the General Assembly should take action. So should Congress.
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Ralph Martire’s February column summarizes Governor Pritzker's proposed budget plan and from a fiscal responsibility standpoint there’s much to like in what the governor put on the table, starting with how he proposes to use the unexpected on-budget surplus that’s materialized in the current
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Ralph Martire summarizes Governor Pritzker's proposed budget plan and from a fiscal responsibility standpoint there’s much to like in what the governor put on the table, starting with how he proposes to use the unexpected on-budget surplus that’s materialized in the current fiscal year.
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Budget experts, including CTBA’s Ralph Martire, respond to Governor Pritzker’s proposed budget proposal. Budget experts said Pritzker was prudent to focus on using one-time funds for one-time expenses, such as making the extra pension payment and sunsetting the tax relief after one year.
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CTBA’s EITC report is mentioned in the Economic Security for Illinois’ response to Governor’s Pritzker’s budget proposal.
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President Joe Biden is getting impatient with schools that are supposedly not moving fast enough to spend stimulus money they got from COVID-19 relief bills, but some analysts say there are good reasons why most of that money has not yet been spent. Ralph Martire told Bloomberg in November, that “Most of it is being used for the right things and in the right areas, the problem is understanding the impact of taking away a service once you’ve provided it,” Martire added that school districts should be very persnickety about utilizing funds to cover recurring costs.
Fox 17 News, Nashville also ran the story: https://fox17.com/news/nation-world/heres-why-analysts-say-schools-arent-spending-more-of-their-200-billion-covid-stimulus
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President Joe Biden is getting impatient with schools that are supposedly not moving fast enough to spend stimulus money they got from COVID-19 relief bills, but some analysts say there are good reasons why most of that money has not yet been spent. Ralph Martire told Bloomberg in November, that “Most of it is being used for the right things and in the right areas, the problem is understanding the impact of taking away a service once you’ve provided it,” Martire added that school districts should be very persnickety about utilizing funds to cover recurring costs.
Fox 17 News, Nashville also ran the story: https://fox17.com/news/nation-world/heres-why-analysts-say-schools-arent-spending-more-of-their-200-billion-covid-stimulus