Tax Policy Experts Debate '97 Budget Tax Cuts

WASHINGTON, D.C . — Two tax policy experts from different sides of the policy fence, Bruce Bartlett of the National Center for Policy Analysis (NCPA) and William Gale of Brookings Institution, will discuss the "good, the feasible and the impossible" in the 1997 Budget Tax Cut Bill. In a Capital Hill briefing sponsored by NCPA, these two tax analysts will target the taxes they would cut if bound simply by overall revenue constraints rather than politics.

Moderated by Martin Sullivan, Ph.D. Economist and Economic Correspondent for Tax Notes, Gale and Bartlett will critique and discuss the tax components of the 1997 Budget Deal, which calls for cumulative tax cuts of $135 billion gross ($85 billion net) over five years, with all or some of the following elements:

  • A child tax credit
  • A cut in the capital gains tax
  • Estate tax relief
  • A deduction/credit for education
  • An extension of the airline ticket tax

In an open forum, these noted economists will strive to find consensus in considering the best way to shape the 1997 Tax Bill.

WHO: WILLIAM GALE
SENIOR FELLOW, ECONOMIC STUDIES , BROOKINGS INSTITUTION; FORMER SENIOR STAFF ECONOMIST, COUNCIL OF ECONOMIC ADVISORS; EDITORIAL BOARD, NATIONAL TAX JOURNAL
BRUCE BARTLETT
SENIOR FELLOW, NATIONAL CENTER FOR POLICY ANALYSIS; FORMER DEPUTY ASSISTANT SECRETARY, U.S. TREASURY; FORMER EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR, JOINT ECONOMIC COMMITTEE
MARTIN SULLIVAN, MODERATOR
ECONOMIC CORRESPONDENT, TAX NOTES; ECONOMIST, TAX ANALYSTS; B.A. ECONOMICS, HARVARD, Ph.D. ECONOMICS, NORTHWESTERN; FORMER ECONOMIST, JEC

WHAT: OPEN FORUM DISCUSSION OF 1997 TAX BILL

WHEN: MONDAY, JUNE 2, 9:30 to 10:30 a.m.

WHERE: 1334 LONGWORTH HOUSE OFFICE BUILDING