Politics of Taxation, Poverty, Welfare, Health, and Education

Flashcards about taxation, finance, poverty, welfare, health, and education.

Tax burden

Taxes as a percentage of a person's income.

Progressivity

Increases with higher levels of state income.

Regressivity

Decreases with higher levels of state income; overall state and local taxes.

Local property taxes

Largest source of revenue for local governments; usually regressive.

State sales taxes

Most important source of revenue for state governments.

Excise taxes

Cigarette, alcohol, and gas taxes.

State income taxes

Imposed by all but seven states; may be progressive or flat, with various exemptions.

Corporate taxes

In 44 states; popular with voters but may cause businesses to relocate.

Lottery and gambling revenue

Administrative costs take 50 percent.

User charges

Fastest growing source of state and local revenue.

Official Poverty Rate

The percentage of the population whose annual cash income falls below that which is required to maintain a decent standard of living.

Episodic Poverty

Poverty conditions that are temporary; hard times occurring for a brief time.

Chronic Poverty

Permanent, persistent poverty conditions.

Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)

Federal aid for state programs of cash assistance to poor families; Replaced the AFDC federal entitlement program; Included the 'devolution' of responsibility for cash assistance programs to the states.

Inputs

Measures of resources expended on education.

Outputs

Measures of what pupils are learning.

Charter Schools

Schools operated with public funds by private community groups under a charter from public school districts or other granting agency.