KVH Board Chair Appointed to Tax Reform Commission

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Feb 14th, 2012

KVH Board Chairperson Appointed to Tax Reform Commission

Kentucky Voices for Health Board Chairperson Sheila Schuster has been appointed to the Tax Reform Commission recently announced by Governor Steve Beshear.

The twenty-three member Commission, to be led by Lt. Gov. Jerry Abramson, will work over the coming months to develop recommendations to make the state’s tax code more responsive to the ups and downs of the economy, as well as to make taxes more equitable for Kentuckians.  The revisions should allow for tax revenues that are adequate to address the needs of the state’s citizens and businesses.

“In order to better prepare our state for the future, we must study how we can better align our tax code with the principles of fairness, business competitiveness and a 21st Century economy,” said Gov. Beshear.  “An improved tax code will not only create a more welcoming business environment, but will also allow the state to invest in the services and priorities that best position our citizens for success.”

The Commission will be assisted by an outside consultant, as well as advisers from both inside and outside of state government.  This includes the State Budget Director and Secretaries of the Executive Cabinet, Finance and Administration and Economic Development, the Commissioner of the Department of Revenue, the Taxation Committee of the Kentucky Society of CPAs and the Taxation Section of the Kentucky Bar Association. Legislators from both the House and the Senate will serve as ex officio non-voting members. The Commission will receive testimony from outside experts, interested groups and the general public.

Gov. Beshear outlined five goals for the Commission’s work, including:

1.    Fairness:  The tax system should treat people equitably. The Commission will review the tax burden that different taxpayers shoulder, from Kentucky families to Kentucky businesses, from small businesses to big businesses, and within different industry sectors in the state. 

2.    Competitiveness:  Any changes to the tax system should ensure that Kentucky continues to attract jobs and investment to the state, while keeping and protecting the jobs and businesses we already have.  The Commission will review how Kentucky’s  tax environment compares to other states and identify ways to improve business tax competitiveness.

3.    Simplicity and Compliance:  A tax system should be easy to understand and follow. The Commission will make recommendations to ensure compliance with Kentucky’s tax system is simple for individuals and businesses and to ensure efficient administration by the state.

4.    Elasticity:  The tax code should allow state revenue performance to mirror economic performance.  While Kentucky’s code has performed relatively well during the recession, revenue growth has not kept pace with changes in the economy.

5.    Adequacy:  The Commonwealth’s tax structure should generate sufficient funds to support critical state services.  The Commission is charged with reviewing the adequacy of revenues from the current tax structure and making recommendations for improvement.

Shelia was an original co-founder of Kentucky Voices for Health and is currently serving as the first chairperson of the board.  A long-time advocate for individuals with mental illness and other disabilities, Sheila holds a PhD in clinical psychology from the University of Louisville and serves as Executive Director of the Advocacy Action Network, an umbrella organization which includes a number of advocacy groups addressing health care, mental health, social justice and disability issues.

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