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.
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Local chapters of the League of Women Voters Illinois in both Jo Daviess and Stephenson counties are sponsoring a speaking tour for Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability (CTBA) Chicago.
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CPS CEO Barbara Byrd-Bennett sounded the fiscal crisis alarm on Wednesday and made clear that the district would like the same pension changes applied to CPS teachers that the state imposed on other public employees.
Next year, CPS will owe the Chicago Teachers Pension Fund $696 million,
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A call is coming from some corners for Illinois' leaders to bring voters a choice to alter the Constitution to include a graduated income tax.
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In a case scrutinized for potential ramifications for pension reform in Illinois, the Arizona Supreme Court today ruled unconstitutional efforts to curtail benefit increases for retired judges.
The Arizona case has been on the local radar because Arizona and Illinois are, along with New York, the only three states with constitutionally mandated protections for state pensions.
“My one-word comment is 'predictable,' ” said Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability, on today's ruling. “All the Arizona Supreme Court did is read the plain language and said there's no need for legal construction here: The language is plain on its face. Hence, it's unconstitutional.”
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Crain’s Chicago Business article on “Real Reason Why Most Illinois Companies Don’t Pay State Income Taxes” regarding a new study commissioned by the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the Taxpayers’ Federation, quotes Ralph Martire. Paul Merrion’s article ends:
The findings are not that
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Ralph Martire discusses public school funding in Chicago and Illinois and the challenges of providing a well-resourced quality education for all children. This event was part of the Winter Educational Issues Forum hosted by The DePaul University of Education. This program was recorded and streamed by Chicago Access Network Television (CAN TV).
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A plan to cut Illinois’ corporate income tax in half to create more jobs won’t work out, according to budget expert Ralph Martire.
Illinois House Speaker Michael Madigan introduced a bill Jan. 30 to reduce the state’s corporate income tax from 7 percent to 3.5 percent.
“I am
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Reforming Illinois' public education funding system has to include fixes to the state’s tax policy, argued Ralph Martire, executive director of the Center for Tax and Budget Accountability at a DePaul University education forum Tuesday evening.
“For decades, Illinois has denied an
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“….. The issue should be part of the campaign debate, though, because without such structural changes, Illinois likely faces a future of red ink.”
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To the Editor:
Regarding your ‘Skip the rhetoric, we want the facts’ editorial of Jan. 19: Amen to that. Unfortunately, if past performance is any indicator it’s going to take more than facts. As we’ve seen, going through the motions of gathering facts is far different than listening to