“This is a book full of evidence, compelling in the way it reveals differences among states and clear consequences. Read, learn, and weep in some constituencies or give three cheers in others.”
―George Shultz, distinguished fellow at the Hoover Institution at Stanford University, former United States Secretary of Labor, Secretary of the Treasury, Secretary of State, Director of the Office of Management and Budget and professor of economics at MIT and the University of Chicago
“Left wing, right wing, liberal, conservative, Democrat or Republican, Arthur Laffer’s book, The Wealth of States has the facts and the framework for policymakers and citizens alike. Tapping decades of research and experience in state economics, Laffer, Moore, Sinquefield and Brown communicate clearly the guiding principles to elevate their states-and thus the nation as a whole-to levels of prosperity never before seen. State and local legislators should base their economic policies on this book-it’s a game changer.”
―Dick Cheney, 46th Vice President of the United States, former Secretary of Defense, member of the U.S. House of Representatives representing Wyoming and Chairman and CEO of Halliburton Company
“Wow! This compelling, comprehensive book will be the bible for state and local leaders who truly want rapid economic growth. It will profoundly, positively change politics and economics in America.”
―Steve Forbes, Chairman and Editor-in-Chief of Forbes Media
“Arthur Laffer is justly known as the father of Supply Side Economics whose pro-growth tax cuts combined with Reagan’s policies of limited government, free enterprise and strong defense ushered in a twenty five year economic renaissance. He is not as well known for his work on the States, but this book will change that. With Stephen Moore, Rex Sinquefield and Travis Brown, Laffer uses the marvelous laboratory of the fifty States-set in the environment of free trade, population mobility and a common underlying federal structure-to demonstrate conclusively that economic policy matters. Where taxes are low, private property rights are strong and free enterprise prevails, prosperity grows. High taxes, big government and special interest domination may work politically to win elections, but they fail to bring home the bacon. Prosperity is not an accident or a fate, it is a choice-a freedom choice.”
―Phil Gramm, former U.S. Representative and Senator representing Texas and professor of economics at Texas A&M University
“Arthur Laffer’s latest book on the states makes it clear that running a state is a lot like running a business. The goals are the same: making our businesses and states more prosperous, competitive, and attractive to investors and citizens. With important lessons identified, The Wealth of States will make its mark.”
―Jack Welch, Chairman and CEO of General Electric, 1981-2001
“The widening gap in policies and prosperity among the states has been a source of increasing controversy. The migration of people and businesses from high-tax states such as California and Illinois to fast-rising rivals Texas, Nevada, and Florida is creating a divide that, to some observers, mirrors the battle between emerging markets and aging economies in decline. . . . An important new book identifies a major factor that, the authors claim, separates the winners from the laggards: state income taxes . . . . Given the authors’ pedigree, the conclusions are predictable: Imposing income taxes inevitably leads to economic decline and enriches the competing states that don’t have them. What gives their arguments credence is the staggering wealth of data summoned to support their claims.”
―Shawn Tully, senior editor-at-large, Fortune, April 18, 2014.
“For the economist, the relocation decision offers a fascinating insight into the differences between attractive and repellent environments. If every state were exactly the same―same economy, same laws, same weather―the relocation decision wouldn’t tell us anything of interest. People would still move, but there wouldn’t be any discernible trends. We’d see the same number of people moving from Cuba to Florida as vice versa. But what if people systematically prefer one kind of jurisdiction over another when they move? . . . as a partial explanation for relocation decisions it’s a fascinating insight, one that informs an important new book by Arthur Laffer, Stephen Moore, Rex Sinquefield, and Travis Brown, An Inquiry Into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of States. The title, borrowed from Adam Smith’s Wealth of Nations, promises a revolutionary reinterpretation of what makes American states wealthy and, remarkably, the authors deliver on their promise. What they find, in brief, is that low-tax states deliver more wealth without sacrificing the social services that tax revenues are supposed to fund. They also find that people move in massive numbers from high- to low-tax states.”
―F.H. Buckley, The American Spectator, May 14, 2014
From the Inside Flap
Poor people can’t spend themselves into wealth. Similarly, as huge segments of the population have long suspected, a higher tax burden doesn’t lead to prosperity at the state level. Seems simple enough to many, but this little piece of wisdom has been the subject of loud debate. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of States is putting that debate to rest with a cogently presented, meticulous analysis of the facts.
By looking at quantitative data from all 50 U.S. states, the authors have put together a solid case for lower state income taxes and decreased tax burdens. Wealth doesn’t stay put. Businesses and individuals in upper economic strata go where their interests are protected. The result? As this book demonstrates, almost every measure of economic prosperity at the state levelpopulation, employment, and beyondis linked to taxation. Low-tax states in every region of the country are outperforming their neighbors.
In all kinds of economic weather, states need to become competitive or risk urban dilapidation, population shrinkage, decreases in quality of living, and worse. In An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of States, lucid quantitative analysis supports the argument that wealth-friendly policies at state and local levels are the key to maintaining prosperity for everyone. These policies extend far beyond the personal income tax rate to include corporate income taxes, estate taxes, the overall tax burden, right-to-work laws, and much more. Add it all up, and states won’t be able to ignore this airtight case for tax reform.
From the Back Cover
POOR PEOPLE CAN’T SPEND themselves into wealth. Similarly, as huge segments of the population have long suspected, a higher tax burden doesn’t lead to prosperity at the state level. Seems simple enough to many, but this little piece of wisdom has been the subject of loud debate. An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of States is putting that debate to rest with a cogently presented, meticulous analysis of the facts.
By looking at quantitative data from all 50 U.S. states, the authors have put together a solid case for lower state income taxes and decreased tax burdens. Wealth doesn’t stay put. Businesses and individuals in upper economic strata go where their interests are protected. The result? As this book demonstrates, almost every measure of economic prosperity at the state level―population, employment, and beyond―is linked to taxation. Low-tax states in every region of the country are outperforming their neighbors.
In all kinds of economic weather, states need to become competitive or risk urban dilapidation, population shrinkage, decreases in quality of living, and worse. In An Inquiry into the Nature and Causes of the Wealth of States, lucid quantitative analysis supports the argument that wealth-friendly policies at state and local levels are the key to maintaining prosperity for everyone. These policies extend far beyond the personal income tax rate to include corporate income taxes, estate taxes, the overall tax burden, right-to-work laws, and much more. Add it all up, and states won’t be able to ignore this airtight case for tax reform.
About the Author
ARTHUR B. LAFFER, PhD, is the founder and chairman of Laffer Associates, an economic research firm focusing on interconnecting macroeconomic, political, and demographic changes.
STEPHEN MOORE is chief economist at The Heritage Foundation. He focuses on budget, tax, and monetary policy.
REX A. SINQUEFIELD was a co-founder and director of Dimensional Fund Advisors LP. Since retirement, he has become one of Missouri’s leading philanthropists and a dedicated supporter of public policy change.
TRAVIS H. BROWN is the CEO and co-founder of Pelopidas, LLC, a public affairs and issue-advocacy firm. He frequently contributes to Fox & Friends and Forbes.com and is the author of How Money Walks.
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